A 14 year old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence after police uncovered an alleged plot to target two mosques in south London.
According to BBC News, the teenager was initially arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after a vehicle was vandalised in the Sutton area. Officers later searched his home, where they discovered documents that prompted a counter terrorism investigation.
The boy has been charged with preparation of terrorist acts under the Terrorism Act 2006. He also faces a separate charge of racially aggravated criminal damage relating to the alleged damage of a car window. As he is under the age of 18, his identity has not been disclosed.
Police said the alleged plot was linked to extreme right wing terrorism and involved plans to target two mosques in Sutton. Specialist officers have contacted the affected mosques to provide support and reassurance, while investigators said they are not seeking any additional suspects and do not believe there is a wider threat to the public.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the case as a very serious terrorism investigation involving a young person and acknowledged that it would be particularly concerning for the Muslim community. She also noted an increase in the number of terrorism investigations involving children and teenagers in recent years.
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