Actor Noel Clarke is understood to have been arrested at his London home on Thursday.

Police are believed to have detained the 49-year-old at his west London residence this morning, with officers seeming to conduct an extensive search of the property.

The Sun reports law enforcement personnel arrived at the Kensington address before 9am and remained at the scene for approximately five hours.

During the operation, officers removed multiple items from the home, including computer equipment and paperwork.

Witnesses observed police leaving the property carrying containers filled with electronic devices and documentation.

GB News has contacted the Metropolitan Police regarding the reports.

Following questioning, the actor is thought to have returned to his residence shortly before 5.30pm, accompanied by two individuals.

The detention comes after the actor’s unsuccessful legal action against The Guardian newspaper concluded with a court ruling against him.

During the six-week civil proceedings, more than twelve women provided testimony regarding allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment by the film director.

The High Court judge determined that the newspaper’s reporting was “substantially true” and that its articles served the public interest.

In her ruling, Mrs Justice Steyn stated: “I have accepted some of Mr Clarke’s evidence… but overall I find that he was not a credible or reliable witness.”

The actor had challenged the publication’s characterisation of him as a “serial abuser of women” and alleged he was targeted by an “unlawful conspiracy.”

However, the court rejected these claims and upheld both defence arguments presented by the newspaper.

A specialist canine unit participated in the search operation, arriving at the location at 7.30am before entering the premises at 9am alongside plain-clothes detectives.

An eyewitness told The Sun: “A dog unit arrived at 7.30am and parked on the street further down from the address.

“At 9am the officer went in with the dog, and there were plain-clothes detectives also at the flat.

“They were here for hours before leaving with a plastic box with a laptop and other items in it.”

The married father of four faces significant financial obligations following the court’s decision requiring him to pay The Guardian an initial £3 million towards their legal expenses.

The court has granted the actor 28 days to submit the initial payment, with the newspaper’s total legal expenses exceeding £6 million.

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The actor maintains his innocence despite the verdict, stating after the ruling: “For almost five years, I have fought against a powerful media outlet and its extensive legal teams over inaccurate and damaging reporting.”

He claimed the allegations originated from “anonymous emails portraying me as a monster to attract attention and outrage” and insisted: “I have never claimed to be perfect. But I am not the person described in these articles.”

The actor revealed he has exhausted his savings fighting the case and remortgaged his family property, whilst experiencing minimal earnings over the past four and a half years.

GB News has contacted Mr Clarke’s representation over the reports.