Two men from Croydon have been charged with terrorism-related offences after new legislation came into effect last December.

The charges are made under the National Security Act, as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation.

Jake Reeves, 22, from Croydon was charged on Thursday, April 25 with aggravated arson and agreeing to accept material benefit from a foreign intelligence service.

Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, also from Croydon was charged on Thursday, April 25 with aggravated arson and agreeing to accept material benefit from a foreign intelligence service.

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that the foreign state related to these charges is Russia.

A third man from Leicestershire, 20-year-old Dylan James Earl, was charged on Friday, April 19 with aggravated arson, preparatory conduct and assisting a foreign intelligence service.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, April 20 and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, May 10.

Reeves and Paulauska are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (Friday, April 26).

In connection with this investigation, two further men have been charged.

Paul English, 60, from Roehampton and Nii Kojo Mensah, 21, from Thornton Heath were charged on Sunday, April 21 with aggravated arson.

They appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 22 and were remanded in custody.

They are set to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, May 10.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which is leading the investigation, said: “This is a highly significant moment and investigation for us.

“Not only are the charges that have been authorised by the CPS extremely serious, but it is also the first time that we have arrested, and now charged anyone using the powers and legislation brought in under the National Security Act.

“We have spoken publicly in recent times about various threats linked to national security that we have been facing, and the increase in operational activity required across Counter Terrorism Policing to meet these.

“While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them in connection with this matter.

“This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been brought about I would urge everyone to respect the criminal justice process and not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case.”

On Wednesday, April 10, officers arrested a man in his 20s (Earl) as part of an investigation into offences under the National Security Act 2023.

The man was arrested in Leicestershire and detained.

On Sunday, April 14, a second man, also aged in his 20s was arrested in London and detained.

Warrants of further detention were obtained and the pair were charged.

The second man arrested has since been released from police custody without charge.

On Thursday, April 18, an 18-year-old was arrested in Stratford on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

He was subsequently released on police bail to a date in June.

On Friday, April 19 four more arrests in connection with the investigation were made:

  • A 22-year-old man (Reeves) was arrested in East Croydon under Section 27 of the National Security Act 2023.
  • A 22-year-old man (Paulauska) was arrested in New Addington under Section 27 of the National Security Act 2023;
  • A 21-year-old man (Mensah ) was arrested in Thornton Heath on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life;
  • A 60-year-old man (English) was arrested in Croydon on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life;
  • A 20-year-old man was also arrested on Sunday, April 21 in Dover, Kent. He was initially arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs and detained under PACE and was subsequently detained.

Both Mensah and English were charged on Sunday, April 21 as above.

Warrants of further detention were obtained in respect of Reeves, Paulauska and the 20-year-old arrested.

The 20-year-old was then released from police custody without charge.

The investigation is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and has been supported by officers from CTP East Midlands, Leicestershire Police, CTP South East and Kent Police. Enquiries remain ongoing.