Teenager arrested for planning Christmas market attack
17-year-old held on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism
The teenager was arrested on Friday, December 23, following a tip-off from the public.
Police believe he was planning to carry out an attack on a Christmas market in the city center.
The arrest came after a two-month investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.
The teenager is being held in custody at a south London police station.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 26.
The arrest was made as part of Operation Peregrine, which is the Metropolitan Police’s response to the threat of terrorism.
The operation was launched in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels.
Operation Peregrine involves a range of measures to protect the public, including increased patrols and surveillance.
The arrest of the teenager is a reminder of the threat of terrorism that we face.
It is important to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police.
We should not allow terrorism to divide us or to undermine our way of life.
We must stand together and show that we will not be cowed by those who seek to do us harm.
