A gang of Muslim men have been served with a three-year anti-social behaviour order to protect the public.

The twelve men from Luton and Walthamstow, east London, have been banned from gathering in large groups after they were involved in violent outbursts at a rally led by radical hate preacher Anjem Choudary.

Eight of the men have had restrictions imposed on their activities when attending a Dawah - a public event where Islam is preached, while four of the men have also been banned from carrying flags or setting fire to items in protest.

The twelve men named in the orders are Munim Adbul, 33, Mohan Uddin, 37, Mohammed Alamgir, 35, Kamran Khan, 30, Qadeer Ahmed, 29, Mohammed Naseer Khan, 31, Moshiur Rahman, 32, Jalal Ahmed, 26, Yousef Bashir, 34, Mirza Ali, 40, Abu Aziz, 32, and Jordan Horner, 21.

They have proved they are prepared to behave in a way which is totally unacceptable involving violence or threat of violence to members of the public going about their business. I take the view it is necessary for the protection of the public and to ensure crime is not committed that Asbo orders are made. - Judge Paul Worsley QC

Two of the men, identified as Mirza Ali and Abu Aziz, 32, have already left the UK and are believed to be in Syria. Seven of them appeared at the Old Bailey today where Judge Paul Worsley QC issued the order.

"I am entirely satisfied that an order to limit the conduct of these defendants is appropriate in each case," he stated. "They have proved they are prepared to behave in a way which is totally unacceptable involving violence or threat of violence to members of the public going about their business.

"I take the view it is necessary for the protection of the public and to ensure crime is not committed that Asbo orders are made," he added.

He dismissed arguments from lawyers for the men who suggested the Asbo would breach their right to religious expression.

Prosecutor Alex Chalk added: "We don't seek to exclude them from practising their religion nor attending rallies nor performing Dawa, simply that it reflects the needs of competing interests in a democratic society.'

The third restriction, which applies to all twelve of the men, states that they "must not be in company with each other when attending any protest, demonstration or rally."

The order was issued following a violent protest in central London in May 2013 when four of the group of Sunni Muslims - Ali, Uddin, Alamgir, and Khan - were involved in an attack on rival Shia Muslims during a protest march. Two men were beaten to the ground as the mob shouted: "This is what is going to happen to all Shia' and 'Shias are kaffirs. They are the enemy within. They are evil."

Under the terms of the Asbo, the four men are banned from participating in any protests if notification has not been given to the local authority or police.

One of the gang, Jordan Horner, 31, was already subject to an Asbo for taking part in vigilante patrols in east London calling for a Sharia State in the UK.