A young man and woman have been charged by London police on suspicion of conducting far-right terrorist activities. Their charges are unrelated to the riots that have occurred in the United Kingdom in recent weeks.
The pair were apprehended in Cheshunt, East England, by anti-terrorism officers. The 18-year-old man from Ilford, East London, faces charges for planning terrorist acts. The 19-year-old woman from Cheshunt is also charged with planning acts of terrorism, as well as gathering information useful to someone plotting or committing a terrorist act.
The woman was initially arrested on 4 August, suspected of firearm possession and collecting related data. Following a search of her property she was taken to the police station, then released on bail. On 10 August, both she and the 18-year-old man were once again arrested at the same address, prompting further searches at the Cheshunt property and subsequently in Ilford.
A remand warrant was issued, keeping the two in custody until they were formally charged. They are due to appear in court on Friday.
"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," cautioned Anti-terrorism Commander Dominic Murphy.
Murphy was unable to comment further on the case but assured that there is no ongoing threat related to the investigation. He stressed that the charges were not related to the xenophobic riots that rocked the UK following the knife attack on 29 July in Southport, northwest England, which claimed the lives of three young girls.
