Five teenagers have been arrested in London on the suspicion of preparation of acts of terrorism.

The Metropolitan Police said the arrests relate to plans to travel to join a proscribed organisation.

The arrests follow searches at four homes in London on Tuesday, January 14, and a separate search on a home in Lambeth on Monday.

On Monday a 17-year-old boy and 16-year-old boy were arrested at a home in south London, while a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were arrested at an address in west London, and a 15-year-old boy was arrested at a home in east London.

Searches at the east London address continued on Monday evening following the arrest.

All five teenagers are being held in a central London police station while enquiries continue.