Teen charged with extreme right-wing terror plot targeting Sutton mosques

A 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with an extreme right-wing terror plot that targeted two mosques in Sutton. The unnamed teenager was first arrested on Thursday, 9 July, at a south London address after officers linked him to criminal damage to a vehicle in the Sutton area on 20 June.

A search of the address uncovered documents of concern, leading to a second arrest on suspicion of an offence under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. After a warrant of further detention was secured on Saturday, 11 July, and further enquiries were made with the Crown Prosecution Service, he was charged with conduct in preparation for giving effect to an intention to conduct acts of terrorism and with racially aggravated criminal damage to a car window under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

The boy cannot be named for legal reasons and has been remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 17 July. Specialist officers have contacted the mosques to provide ongoing advice and support.

Police do not believe there is any enduring or wider threat, and no one else is being sought in connection with the case. Commander Helen Flanagan said the charge would be highly concerning to the public and particularly to the Muslim community, while Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn said officers were working with local partners to provide reassurance and support and warned against underestimating the cumulative impact of such incidents on Muslim communities.

The charges came days after 12 people were arrested over a suspected extreme right-wing threat to the UK Ijtima at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk, where organisers were advised to close the Islamic event slightly early on Sunday, 12 July. A separate arrest over an alleged assault outside a mosque in Leyton.