Boy, 14, charged over alleged plan to target mosques

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence after police discovered an alleged plan to target two London mosques that was linked to "extreme right-wing terrorism".

The child was initially arrested at an address in south London on suspicion of criminal damage to a vehicle, but officers found "a number of documents of concern", the Metropolitan Police said.

He is accused of planning to target the two places of worship in Sutton and has been remanded in custody.

He is due at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with preparation of terrorist acts on or before 9 July, and racially aggravated damage to property, the force said.

Cdr Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, said it was a "very serious terrorism charge against a young boy" and "particularly concerning" to the Muslim community.

She said they were seeing an increasing number of children and young people in their casework.

The affected mosques are receiving support from specialist officers.

Police have also contacted the victim linked to the damaged vehicle which was in Sutton too.

The Met said it was working closely with CTP London on the probe and had increased patrols in affected areas.