Two teenagers have been charged with terrorism offences following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, which is connected to

suspected extreme right-wing activities.

Rex Clark, 18, from Ilford, East London, and Sofija Vinogradova, 19, from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, face charges related to the preparation of terrorist acts. Additionally, Ms. Vinogradova has been charged with two counts of collecting information likely to be useful for someone committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

Both individuals have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The Metropolitan Police emphasized that these charges are not linked to the recent riots across the country following the Southport attack.

According to police, Ms. Vinogradova was initially arrested on August 4 at a Cheshunt residence on suspicion of possessing a firearm and gathering information potentially useful to terrorists. After searching the property, she was taken into custody and later released on bail pending further investigation.

On August 10, she was re-arrested along with Mr. Clark at a Cheshunt address. Subsequent searches were conducted at both the Cheshunt and Ilford addresses.

After consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service, the charges were formally filed on Thursday.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, stated, "These are extremely serious charges, and I urge the public not to speculate further about this case. It is important to allow the criminal justice process to proceed without interference."

He reassured the public, saying, "While we cannot discuss the details of the investigation now that charges have been filed, I want to emphasize that we do not believe there is any broader threat related to this case at this time, though our investigation is ongoing."

Commander Murphy also clarified that the investigation into this matter is not connected to the unrest that followed the tragic events in Southport. Photo by Slinkierbus268, Wikimedia commons.