Key facts
- A 14-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence in London.
- The charge is linked to an alleged plan to attack two mosques in south London.
- Police found documents at the boy's address that led to the terrorism charge.
- The boy also faces charges for criminal damage to a car, which was racially aggravated.
- Authorities do not believe there is a wider threat to the public.
- A separate case involves a 17-year-old in Scotland who pleaded guilty to terrorism charges for a mosque attack plot.
British police have charged a 14-year-old boy with a terrorism offence related to extreme right-wing ideology, stemming from an alleged plan to attack two mosques in south London. The arrest initially followed an investigation into criminal damage to a car, but subsequent searches uncovered documents that led to the terrorism charge under the Terrorism Act 2006. The boy also faces charges for racially aggravated criminal damage to a vehicle.
Commander Helen Flanagan stated that the charge is serious and concerning for the public and the local community, particularly the Muslim community. Police are providing support to the affected mosques and do not believe there is an ongoing or wider threat. Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn acknowledged the concern within the community and highlighted increased patrols.
In a separate, but related development, a 17-year-old in Scotland has pleaded guilty to terrorism charges for planning to set fire to the Inverclyde Muslim Centre. This teenager, who is autistic, was reportedly radicalized through social media from the age of 13 and held extreme right-wing views, including sympathies with the Nazi party. He had intended to use an airgun and aerosol cans to carry out the attack after gaining access to the mosque, having previously considered targeting his school. Police intelligence led to his arrest outside the mosque.