Anjem Choudary, one of the most high-profile Islamists in Britain, has been arrested by police for allegedly encouraging terrorism.

Mr Choudary (47) was one of nine men arrested by officers from Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command on yesterday morning. Police gave only sparse details, but the men were arrested on suspicion of being members of a proscribed organisation, or supporting a proscribed organisation, as well as encouraging terrorism.

Mr Choudary has gained publicity for statements over the years that inflamed some people, but which stayed on the right side of the law. He is a former lawyer, a self-styled preacher and says he is an expert in Islamic or sharia law.

The men arrested were aged from 22 to 51 years old and were all detained in London. Police said a total of 19 addresses were being searched, mostly in London, including community premises as well as residential and business addresses. One address is in Stoke-on-Trent in the Midlands, 11 in east London, one in west London, one in northwest London and five in south London.

Neighbours said Mr Choudary appeared to have moved out of his semi-detached home in Walthamstow, northeast London, last week and that there had been significant police activity at the address over the weekend.

“The police activity was definitely last week,” said one neighbour, who declined to be named.

“Police officers came round and went up the doorstep – two were walking around constantly and there were three police cars parked down the road. They were in pairs. A police car came round a few times. Later that evening I saw the light on upstairs after the police had gone.”

The neighbour added that Mr Choudary lived in the house for two or three years but removed some belongings last week. “We’ve had leaflets from rightwing groups put though our door saying ‘do you know he lives down your street?’,” the neighbour said, adding that they were on “nodding terms” with Mr Choudary.

In a statement the police said: “These arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism and are not in response to any immediate public safety risk.” – (Guardian service)