Terror police raid £42,630-a-year Wellington College to arrest a schoolboy, 16, over claims he bought bomb ingredients online
- Boy had package addressed to him, delivered to school in Crowthorne, Berkshire
- He was detained under the Explosives Act after security found ‘illicit materials’
- School chiefs have suspended the day pupil and he has been released on bail
Counter terrorism police raided a private boarding school to arrest a 16-year-old schoolboy who is alleged to have bought bomb ingredients on the web.
Detained under the Explosives Act, the boy, who attends the £42,630-a-year Wellington College in Berkshire, had a package delivered to the premises addressed to him.
Security became suspicious and seized the delivery, later having found it contained ‘illicit materials’.
School chiefs at the public school in Crowthorne, which has 1,200 pupils aged 13 to 18, called police immediately after opening up the package.
The GCSE pupil, who is understood to not board at the school but attends as a day student, has been bailed.
He has also since been suspended by the school.
Officials have stated that the incident has not been declared as terror-related, but detectives from the Counter Terrorism Policing South East unit are investigating.
Counter terrorism police raided private boarding school Wellington College in Berkshire, pictured, to arrest a 16-year-old schoolboy who is alleged to have bought bomb ingredients on the web
The prestigious boarding and day school was founded by Queen Victoria and opened in 1859, and is described as ‘one of the best public schools in the country’, a source told The Sun.
They continued: ‘This is an incredibly serious issue. This has stunned everyone.’
A spokeswoman for Wellington College said: ‘Wellington College can confirm a package addressed to a day pupil, received in the post, raised concerns with our security team and, in line with our protocols, was intercepted and opened.
‘It was found to contain illicit materials. Police were immediately informed and attended the college.
‘The boy concerned has been suspended with immediate effect and removed from the premises.
‘The college can make no further comment while police investigations continue.’
Officials have stated that the incident has not been declared as terror-related, but detectives from the Counter Terrorism Policing South East unit are investigating (file photo)
Source: Read Full Article
