A 14-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence after police discovered an alleged plan to target two London mosques that was linked to “extreme right-wing terrorism”.

The child was initially arrested at an address on suspicion of criminal damage to a vehicle, but officers searching the location found “a number of documents of concern”, the Metropolitan Police said.

He is accused of planning to target the two places of worship in Sutton.

The boy, who was arrested in the south London area, has been charged with preparation of terrorist acts on or before 9 July, as well as racially aggravated damage to property by allegedly damaging a car window on or before 20 June, the force said.

Cdr Helen Flanagan said it was a “very serious terrorism charge against a young boy” and “particularly concerning” to the Muslim community.

The affected mosques are receiving support from specialist officers.