Hampshire boy, 14, charged with plotting terror attack

A 14-year-old boy from the southern England region of Hampshire has been charged with plotting a terror attack and produced before Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Thursday (18).

The teenager, who cannot be named being a minor, has been charged with one count of preparation of terrorist acts contrary to Section 5(1)(a) of the UK’s Terrorism Act 2006 connected to Islamist terrorism, the Counter-Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said.

"The boy was initially arrested by officers from Hampshire Constabulary on Friday 12 June and subsequently further arrested under section 41 of the Terrorism Act, by detectives from CTPSE," it added.

"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."

The counter-terrorism unit called on the public to have the confidence to report anything suspicious, such as unusual behaviour in a particular place or at a particular time of day, because it may be linked to terrorist activity.