Sixteen-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of terror offences

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in west London on suspicion of terrorism offences.

At approximately 09:55hrs on Wednesday, 29 August, local officers attended an address in West London and carried out a search.

During the search, officers discovered cannabis plants as well as what is believed to be an imitation firearm. Further searches were carried out in the address and officers found items containing an unknown substance.

As a precaution, specialist officers were called to the address and are now in the process of recovering the items, which will be sent for urgent analysis to determine what it is. Cordons remain in place around the address.

The 16-year-old boy was initially arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm and cultivation of cannabis. He was further arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, and currently remains in police custody at a south London police station.

Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation.

Enquiries continue.