Men first to be charged under National Security Act

As part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation, several people have been charged with an investigation into alleged offences under the National Security Act.

The charges are the first to be brought about under the new legislation that came into effect in December 2023.

Dylan James Earl from Leicestershire has been charged with aggravated arson, contrary to section 1(2) and (3) Criminal Damage Act 1971; preparatory conduct, contrary to section 18 of the National Security Act 2023; and assisting a foreign intelligence service, contrary to section 3(1) and (9) of the National Security Act 2023.

Jake Reeves from Croydon has been charged with aggravated arson, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1971 and agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service, contrary to section 17(2) and (11) of the National Security Act 2023.

Dmitrijus Paulauska, also from Croydon, has been charged with failing to disclose information to police about terrorist acts, contrary to section 38B of the Terrorism Act, 2000.

The foreign intelligence service these charges relate to is that of Russia.

The investigation is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and has been supported by officers from CTP East Midlands, Leicestershire Police, CTP South East and Kent Police.

Earl appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 20 April and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, 10 May. Reeves and Paulauska are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 26 April.

Two other men, Paul English from Roehampton and Nii Kojo Mensah from Thornton Heath, were charged with aggravated arson in London in March. They appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday 22 April and were remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday 10 May.

On Wednesday 10 April, officers arrested Earl as part of an investigation into offences under the National Security Act 2023. He was arrested at a location in Leicestershire and detained under Section 27 of the National Security Act 2023.

On Sunday 14 April, a second man was arrested at a location in London and detained under Section 27 of the National Security Act 2023. He has since been released without charge.

On Thursday 18 April, an 18-year-old man was arrested at a location in Stratford, London, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. He was released on police bail to a date in June.

On Friday 19 April, Reeves, Paulauska, English and Mensah was were also arrested.

A 20-year-old man was also arrested on Sunday, 21 April in Dover, Kent. He was initially arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs and detained under PACE and was subsequently detained under section 27 of the National Security Act, 2023. He has since been released without charge.

Enquiries are still ongoing.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which is leading the investigation, said: “This is a highly significant moment and investigation for us. Not only are the charges that have been authorised by the CPS extremely serious, but it is also the first time that we have arrested, and now charged anyone using the powers and legislation brought in under the National Security Act.

“We have spoken publicly in recent times about various threats linked to national security that we have been facing, and the increase in operational activity required across Counter Terrorism Policing to meet these.

“While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them in connection with this matter. This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been brought about I would urge everyone to respect the criminal justice process and not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case.”