LONDON’S counterterrorism command has arrested nine men including radical preacher Anjem Choudary on suspicion of being members of banned groups and encouraging terrorism.

The men, ranging in age from 22 to 51, are in custody in central London police stations.

Choudary, 47, is believed to be part of a group with other the men, known as Al-Muhajiroun, a British-based Islamic terrorist group who were proscribed in 2010 under the UK Terrorism Act.

Scotland Yard has also raided homes, businesses and community centres as part of the probe.

A police spokesman 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.”

Searches were underway Thursday at 18 sites in London and one residence in Stoke on Trent.