ELEVEN men were arrested by counter-terrorism police yesterday in connection with illegal neonazi group National Action.

Six men from the north-west of England, two from south Wales, two from West Yorkshire and one from Wiltshire were held on suspicion of offences including membership of a proscribed organisation. Eleven properties were also being searched.

It follows two investigations and several other arrests earlier this month.

The group was the first extreme right-wing group to be banned under terrorism laws, in December. Membership or inviting support is a criminal offence carrying up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The official list of proscribed groups describes National Action as “virulently racist, anti-semitic and homophobic.”

About a third of all suspected terrorist activity comes from the far right, according to campaign group Unite Against Fascism. Joint secretary Sabby Dhalu said: “Rather than demonising Muslims and contributing to Islamophobia, we call on politicians and the media to take the growing threat of far-right violence and terrorism as seriously as it does Isis-type terrorism.”