Teenagers charged with terrorism offences

Two teenagers have been charged with terrorism offences after an investigation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.

18-year-old Rex William Henry Clark from Ilford was charged with preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2006.

19-year-old Sofija Vinogradova from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire was charged with preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5, TACT, 2006 and two counts of collection of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58, TACT, 2000.

The investigation is related to suspected extreme right-wing terrorism activity.

Vinogradova was arrested at an address in Cheshunt on Sunday 4 August on suspicion of suspicion of being in possession of a firearm, contrary to Section 1 Firearms Act 1968 and collection of information likely to be of use to a terrorist, contrary to Section 58 TACT, 2000. A search was carried out at the address she was arrested and she was taken to a London police station and then released on bail.

She was rearrested on Saturday 10 August, as was Clark.

They were both arrested under section 41 TACT, 2000 and taken to a London police station.

Both will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, 16 August.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: "These are extremely serious charges, but I would urge the public not to speculate any further about this case at this time and allow the criminal justice process to run its course unimpeded.

"While we are not able to comment in any detail about the investigation now that these charges have been brought, I want to reassure the public that at this time we do not believe that there is any wider threat related to this investigation, although our investigation very much continues.

“I also want to make clear that our investigation into this matter is not as a consequence of the disorder across the country which occurred following the terrible events in Southport."

The charges are not related to the recent disorder across the country.