05/06/24
Teen arrested at Gatwick by counter-terror police
A teenager has been arrested at Gatwick Airport on suspicion of a terrorism offence.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command stopped the 17-year-old under the Terrorism Act 2000 on Sunday as he returned to the UK.
Police examined his phone and he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of dissemination of terrorist material.
The investigation relates to extreme Islamist-related material, according to police.
After being interviewed at a London police station, the teenager was released on bail until July.
As part of the investigation, officers have also carried out a search at a residential address in south west London and said enquiries remain ongoing.
Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Command, said this was another example of a teenager being arrested for terrorism offences, which he described as a "concerning trend".
He said anyone who is worried or has concerns about a loved-one being radicalised or drawn into extremism or terrorism should contact the police "so that we can help before it could be too late.”
The suspect was detained under schedule 7 of the act, which allows police at ports to examine individuals entering or leaving the country without any grounds for suspicion to determine whether they are terrorists.
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