Two teenagers have been charged with suspected far-right terror activities following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command who arrested the pair in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, have insisted the charges are not related to the chaos that has gripped the country following the Southport stabbings.
Rex Clark, 18, from Ilford, east London, has been charged with preparing to commit terrorist acts, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2006.
Sofija Vinogradova, 19, from Cheshunt, has been charged with preparing to commit terrorist acts and two counts of collecting information that could be useful to someone committing or preparing a terrorist act.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: “These are extremely serious allegations but I would urge the public to refrain from further speculation about this case at this time and allow the criminal process to proceed unhindered.
“While we are unable to provide detailed information about the investigation now that these charges have been filed, I would like to reassure the public that we do not believe there is a broader threat associated with this investigation at this time, although our investigation continues.
“I also want to make it clear that our investigation into this matter is not a result of the chaos in the country that arose following the terrible events in Southport.”
On Sunday, August 4, officers from the Counter Terrorism Command arrested the 19-year-old woman on suspicion of possession of a firearm and gathering information that could be of use to terrorists.
Detectives searched the address and the woman was taken to a London police station before being released on bail pending further enquiries.
On Saturday 10 August, the woman was arrested again at an address in Cheshunt.
An 18-year-old man was arrested at the same address.
Further searches were carried out at the address in Cheshunt and another address in Ilford.
Detectives subsequently obtained a warrant for further arrest, valid until Saturday, August 17, for both the man and the woman.
Following further investigation and consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the pair were charged and remanded in custody. They will appear in Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.