Two charged with terrorism offences following proactive investigation

Two people have been charged with terrorism offences following a proactive investigation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.

An 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were charged on Thursday, 15 August as follows:

Rex William Henry Clark (21.04.06) of Ilford, East London was charged with preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2006.

Sofija Vinogradova (17.07.05) of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire was charged with preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5, TACT, 2006 and two counts of collection of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58, TACT, 2000.

Both appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, 16 August. They have been remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 13 September. The investigation is related to suspected extreme right-wing terrorism activity.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: "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 unimpeded.

"While we are not able to comment in any detail about the investigation now that these charges have been brought, I want to reassure the public that at this time we do not believe that there is any wider threat related to this investigation, although our investigation very much continues.

“I also want to make clear that our investigation into this matter is not as a consequence of the disorder across the country which occurred following the terrible events in Southport."

On Sunday 4 August, officers from the Counter Terrorism Command arrested a 19-year-old woman at an address in Cheshunt on suspicion of suspicion of being in possession of a firearm, contrary to Section 1 Firearms Act 1968 and collection of information likely to be of use to a terrorist, contrary to Section 58 TACT, 2000.

Detectives carried out a search at 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 also arrested at the same address.

They were both arrested under section 41 TACT, 2000 and taken to a London police station. Further searches were carried out at the address in Cheshunt, as well as another address in Ilford.

Detectives subsequently obtained a warrant of further detention, lasting until Saturday, 17 August, for both the man and the woman.

After further enquiries and liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the CPS authorised charges and the pair were charged as above.