Two teenagers have been held on suspicion of terrorism offences as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged Islamist extremism, Scotland Yard has said.
An 18-year-old man was arrested at an address in Essex on Wednesday and remains in custody while a 17-year-old girl was taken to a London police station on Friday.
The 18-year-old was originally held on suspicion of encouraging terrorism and a warrant of further detention application was granted by Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, allowing detectives to keep him for a further six days.
The girl was arrested at an address in east London under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Two teenagers arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences
Kirsty O'Connor
It comes after a 13-year-old boy was held in west London on suspicion of sharing Islamist terrorist material on Wednesday, with police chiefs warning of a “concerning” trend in police action against younger people for such matters.
The Metropolitan Police said the investigation as part of which the two older teenagers were arrested was in relation to alleged Islamist extremism.
Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “We have seen three teenagers arrested this week by Met officers for terrorism offences, albeit as part of separate investigations.
“We need to let this investigation run its course, but it is a further indication of a concerning upward trend in police action against younger people for terrorism-related matters.
“Across the country, police are working hard to try and prevent young people from being radicalised, and acting quickly when it is suspected that offences have been committed.”