Teenager terrror suspect charged

Bristol teenager Andrew Ibrahim, who was arrested before three controlled explosions were carried out at his home, has been charged under the Terrorism Act.

Ibrahim, 19, who has also been charged with explosives offences, will appear before City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Avon and Somerset Police Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts said: "From our initial inquiries, we are satisfied that he was working alone." She called on the community to be "alert but not alarmed".

Ibrahim was arrested at his home in Bristol on April 17.

Ibrahim's family spoke of their "shock" in a statement released through the police.

It said: "As a family we have been shocked and deeply distressed by the events of the past fortnight.

"We are still coming to terms with the news and trying to deal with this shock as a family. We therefore would ask that the media respect our privacy at this extremely difficult time."

Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts said Ibrahim will stand accused of intending to commit acts of terrorism.

He will appear before magistrates to face three charges, also including possession of explosives and possession of articles for terrorist purposes.

Ms Roberts said: "Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, they have authorised charges against Andrew Philip Michael Ibrahim, otherwise known as Isa Ibrahim, aged 18, of Comb Paddock, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol."

Under the third charge of possession of articles for terrorist purposes, Ibrahim is accused of holding a range of bomb-making equipment in his home.

The materials included a CD Rom, two home-made vests, a quantity of ball bearings, a quantity of air gun pellets, a quantity of nails and screws, wired circuitry, batteries and electric bulb filaments.

Police said the materials were held in circumstances that "gave rise to a reasonable suspicion that his possession was for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism."

Ms Roberts said: "This has been a very challenging and complex investigation for Avon and Somerset Police with much work still to be done.

"Significant amounts of material including numerous computers and associated media has been recovered together with what we believe to be bomb-making components likely to cause harm.

"Over the past two weeks over 100 officers have been working on the enquiry with additional specialist support from our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Service."