This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A teenager has been arrested by counter-terrorism detectives for allegedly encouraging terrorism through the use of social media.

The 15-year-old boy was detained after a raid on Thursday in east London.

Scotland Yard said officers were searching the home where the teenager lived and he remains in custody.

Counter-terrorism officials have intensified their efforts against “cyber-jihad”, used in particular by Islamic State to encourage recruits and incite attacks.

Scotland Yard has a special unit scouring the internet and social media platforms for content supporting violent extremism. The European law enforcement agency Europol has also boosted its efforts.

Police said: “Officers from the Metropolitan police service’s counter-terrorism command [SO15] attended a residential address in east London, at approximately 08.15hrs, on Thursday 16 June, and arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of encouraging terrorism contrary to section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

“Officers are searching the address. The boy has been taken to an east London police station where he remains in custody pending further inquiries.”