Anti-terror police given more time to quiz five London teens over 'plan to fight for Isis in Syria and Iraq'

Detectives have been given more time to question five teenagers held on suspicion of planning to flee Britain to fight for Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

The five males – including a 15-year-old schoolboy - were arrested at homes across London on Monday on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts.

The Met’s counter terror detectives are investigating alleged plans by the teenagers, four of whom are schoolchildren, to travel to join the jihadist terror group after communicating with each other online.

Officers now have until Monday February 27 to question the four teenagers, aged 16, 17, 17 and 19, who were arrested at addresses in south and west London.

A 15-year-old boy arrested on Monday evening in east London can be questioned until Friday.

Police said the arrests follow searches at four residential addresses in London on Tuesday February 14.

A further property was searched in Lambeth on Monday in connection with the investigation.

Detectives are thought to have recovered a number of phones and computers during these raids.

Officers are examining if any of the five had made contact with jihadists in Syria and or if the group had hatched a plot to travel online.

All five remain in custody at a central London police station pending further inquiries.