A 14-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence after British police uncovered a plot to target two mosques in south London linked to extreme right-wing ideology.
The Metropolitan Police said that the teenager was charged with preparation of terrorist acts after officers discovered documents during a search of his home following his arrest on July 9. He has also been charged with racially aggravated criminal damage in connection with damage to a vehicle in Sutton.
According to police, the terrorism charge relates to an alleged plan to target two mosques in the Sutton area. Authorities said there is no evidence of a wider threat, but specialist officers have been deployed to support the affected mosques and reassure the local Muslim community.
The unnamed boy is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the case as “A very serious terrorism charge against a young boy” and acknowledged that it would cause significant concern among local residents, particularly the Muslim community. She said that officers were working closely with the affected mosques to provide advice, reassurance and ongoing support.
Flanagan also noted a growing trend of young people becoming involved in terrorism investigations, saying counter-terrorism police were increasingly encountering children and teenagers in such cases.
Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn, who oversees policing in south London, said the cumulative impact of such incidents on Muslim communities should not be underestimated. He added that police had increased patrols in the affected areas and would continue working alongside counter-terrorism officers to ensure public safety.
The charges come amid heightened concerns over threats against Muslim communities across the United Kingdom. In recent days, police arrested 12 people over an alleged extreme right-wing plot targeting an Islamic event in Suffolk. Last month, a man was also charged with attempted murder linked to terrorism following an alleged anti-Muslim stabbing attack in Edinburgh.
The latest case also follows new security guidance issued by Muslim organisations urging mosques to strengthen safety measures, including improving CCTV coverage, conducting lockdown drills and maintaining close coordination with police amid growing concerns over anti-Muslim attacks and far-right extremism.
