A sixth man has been arrested as police continue to investigate videos of self-styled “Muslim patrols” on the streets of Whitechapel.

The 20-year-old man was arrested at his home in east London on Wednesday on suspicion of GBH and public order offences. He has been bailed until March pending further investigation.

Detectives launched an investigation after footage emerged on YouTube in mid-January showing vigilantes harassing members of the public and shouting homophobic abuse.

In one video a man was told to “get out of here you fag... don’t stay around here any more”. He has now responded to police appeals to come forward to help them with their enquiries.

Other footage shows passers-by being harassed and told to pour away their alcoholic drinks by the vigilantes because they were near the East London Mosque.

“The police service takes these incidents very seriously and is pursuing various lines of enquiry with a view to identifying and prosecuting the individuals concerned”, a spokesman said.

Last week police arrested three men aged 25, 29 and 17. They have all now been bailed until a date to be confirmed pending further enquiries.

A 22-year-old man was also arrested in Acton, west London on Sunday, and a 19-year-old man was held after going to an east London police station on Monday. They have been bailed to return to police stations on March 12 and March 11 respectively.

All five men were arrested on suspicion of GBH and Public Order offences.