Latest news with #bombhoax
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Man, 20, appears in court on terror charges over arson attacks and bomb hoax after police 'foil lone wolf attack on King's Guards'
A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged with terrorism offences after a series of alleged arson and bomb hoax incidents, as police foiled a 'lone wolf attack on King's Guards'. Ilyas Akhtar, of Slough, Berkshire, spoke only to confirm his personal details when he appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday. The 'lone wolf' was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and arson in Slough last week at the Salt Hill Activity Centre, near Windsor Castle. On Sunday he was rearrested over alleged terror offences. Military personnel at a barracks close by were told not to leave the grounds in uniform for two days amid the security scare. Akhtar, who was dressed in a grey tracksuit during the three-minute hearing, was charged on Friday after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing South East, with authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service. He is accused of preparing acts of terrorism, possessing information useful to terrorists, carrying out two arson attacks and causing a bomb hoax. The arson charges relate to fires at Salt Hill Activity Centre in Slough on May 31 and Slough Ice Arena on Montem Lane on May 14, police said. The bomb hoax charge relates to an incident at the town's Asda supermarket on Telford Drive on May 9. The supermarket closed almost 90 minutes early after a member of staff found a suspicious package. No indication of a plea and no bail application was made at the court hearing. District Judge Louisa Cieciora told Akhtar he will next appear in custody at the Old Bailey on June 20. A source told the Sun last night that Akhtar was believed to have been plotting an attack: 'The suspect is feared to have been plotting an attack. 'Police informed bosses at the barracks and measures were taken immediately despite him already being in custody. 'It was a huge security scare. But it was in the interests of everyone's safety.' The warning was circulated to Victoria Barracks in Windsor - home to the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. Detective Superintendent Andy Penrith, of Thames Valley Police, previously said: 'We understand that these charges for terrorism offences will be concerning to our communities in Slough. 'I want to reassure all our residents that Thames Valley Police is working closely with our communities and partners in Slough as well as our colleagues in counter-terrorism.' He said patrols would be stepped up in the area and urged anyone with concerns to speak to officers or police community support officers. 'Due to the ongoing court proceedings, our officers and staff won't be able to provide any further details on this specific case, but we will be there to listen and support our communities,' he added.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Man, 20, in court on terror charges after alleged arson attacks and bomb hoax
A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged with terrorism offences after a series of alleged arson and bomb hoax incidents. Ilyas Akhtar, of Slough, Berkshire, spoke only to confirm his personal details when he appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday. Akhtar, who was dressed in a grey tracksuit during the three-minute hearing, was charged on Friday after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing South East, with authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service. He is accused of preparing acts of terrorism, possessing information useful to terrorists, carrying out two arson attacks and causing a bomb hoax. The arson charges relate to fires at Salt Hill Activity Centre in Slough on May 31 and Slough Ice Arena on Montem Lane on May 14, police said. The bomb hoax charge relates to an incident at the town's Asda supermarket on Telford Drive on May 9. No indication of a plea and no bail application was made at the court hearing. District Judge Louisa Cieciora told Akhtar he will next appear in custody at the Old Bailey on June 20. Detective Superintendent Andy Penrith, of Thames Valley Police, previously said: 'We understand that these charges for terrorism offences will be concerning to our communities in Slough. 'I want to reassure all our residents that Thames Valley Police is working closely with our communities and partners in Slough as well as our colleagues in counter-terrorism.' He said patrols would be stepped up in the area and urged anyone with concerns to speak to officers or police community support officers. 'Due to the ongoing court proceedings, our officers and staff won't be able to provide any further details on this specific case, but we will be there to listen and support our communities,' he added.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Slough man appears in court charged with terror offences
A man charged with terrorism offences, as well as arson attacks on two leisure venues and a bomb hoax, has appeared in Akhtar, 20, is accused of arson attacks at Salt Hill Activity Centre in Slough, Berkshire, and Slough Ice Arena in May, police have appeared on Saturday at Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of one count of preparing terrorist acts and one count of possessing information that could be used for an Akhtar, of Cress Road in Slough, will next appear at the Old Bailey on June 20. During Saturday's hearing, he spoke only to confirm his personal details, with no indication of a plea or bail application made. The activity centre, which includes trampolining and bowling facilities, was allegedly attacked on 31 incident at Slough Ice Arena is said to have occurred on 14 May.A bomb hoax was directed at an Asda supermarket in Telford Drive on 9 May, Counter Terrorism Policing South East previously said. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Slough man charged with terror offences and arson attacks
A man has been charged with terrorism offences, as well as arson attacks on two leisure venues and a bomb Akhtar is accused of one count of preparing terrorist acts and one of possessing information that could be used for an arson charges relate to incidents in May at Salt Hill Activity Centre in Slough, Berkshire, and Slough Ice Arena, police 20-year-old, of Cress Road in the town, is due to appear before Westminster magistrates on Saturday. The activity centre, which includes trampolining and bowling facilities, was allegedly attacked on 31 incident at Slough Ice Arena is said to have occurred on 14 May.A bomb hoax was directed at an Asda supermarket in Telford Drive on 9 May, Counter Terrorism Policing South East Valley Police said extra patrols would be deployed in Slough to reassure the community. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Telegraph
Man from Slough charged with preparing terror attack
A 20-year-old man has been charged with preparing a terror attack. Ilyas Akhtar, from Slough, has also been accused of two counts of arson, against a family activity centre and an ice rink, and carrying out a bomb hoax at an Asda supermarket. Counter Terrorism Policing South East said the arson charges related to an incident at Salt Hill Activity Centre in Slough on May 31 and the Slough Ice Arena on May 14. Detective Superintendent Andy Penrith, of the Berkshire East local command unit, said: 'We understand that these charges for terrorism offences will be concerning to our communities in Slough. I want to reassure all our residents that Thames Valley Police is working closely with our communities and partners in Slough, as well as our colleagues in counter-terrorism. 'You are likely to see more officers and PCSOs in the area carrying out proactive patrols across Slough to reassure the community. If you have any information or concerns then please speak to our officers or PCSOs. 'Due to the ongoing court proceedings, our officers and staff won't be able to provide any further details on this specific case, but we will be there to listen and support our communities.' The man was charged with one count each of preparation of terrorist acts and possessing information likely to be useful to a person preparing an act of terrorism, two counts of arson with intent, and one count of causing a bomb hoax.
