A 14-year-old boy has been charged with plotting a terror attack, police said.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said the boy, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, was charged on Wednesday with one count of preparation of terrorist acts contrary to Section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006 connected to Islamist terrorism.
CTPSE said the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested by officers from Hampshire Constabulary on Friday.
He was later further arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act, by counter-terrorism detectives.
The boy is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
A CTPSE statement said: “We know that the community of Eastleigh might be concerned about this news, however Hampshire Constabulary have been working closely with colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing South East on this investigation and we want to reassure you that we believe the investigation is isolated, and with no known wider risk to the community.
“If you think you have seen something suspicious that may be linked to terrorist activity, have the confidence to share those concerns. It may be unusual behaviour in a particular place or at a particular time of day – don’t rely on others.”
With reporting by PA Media
