UK terror raid suspect charged
The 17-year-old arrested last week under the Terrorism Act has been charged by police.
He was arrested, along with seven others, after a series of dawn raids across the South East last Tuesday which lead to the discovery of a large amount of potentially explosive material.
Police revealed that around 700 officers from five police forces searched 24 locations last Tuesday.
Half a tonne of ammonium nitrate was found. This chemical, normally used as a fertiliser, was used in the Bali bombing last year as well as the IRA bombs in Manchester and the Docklands in the 1990s. It was seized at a self storage facility in Boston Road, Hanwell, west London.
New Scotland Yard have said the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with “conspiracy to cause explosions with intent to injure or damage property” under Section 3(1)(a) of the Explosive Substances Act 1883.
He will appear in custody at Bow Street Magistrate’s Court today.
After the arrests, Peter Clarke, national co-ordinator of terrorist investigations, said the men were arrested “on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.
He added: “This is a complex and protracted investigation, which will be detailed, very thorough and take some time to complete.”
The remaining seven suspects are aged between 18 and 32. The police can hold them in custody until Thursday at which time they must be charged, released or the police will have to apply for more time.
