14-Year-Old Charged With Terrorism Preparation and Racially Aggravated Criminal Damage Over Alleged Mosque Plot

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism, the Metropolitan Police said. The charge is linked to extreme right-wing terrorism and a plot to attack two mosques in the Sutton area of south London. The boy was arrested on July 9 at an address in south London.

He was initially detained on suspicion of criminal damage to a vehicle that occurred on June 20 in Sutton. Police later charged him with damaging a car window without lawful excuse in a racially aggravated offence. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on July 16.

The boy cannot be named for legal reasons. ” She added that police are working closely with the venues affected to provide advice, support and reassurance. Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn said 12 people were arrested for a suspected threat to an Islamic festival in Suffolk and a man was arrested for an alleged assault outside a mosque in Leyton.

Police have increased patrols in the affected areas and will continue them over coming days. Commander Flanagan said police are seeing an increasing number of children and young people in their casework. Police contacted the two affected mosques in Sutton and the victim whose car was damaged.