Hitler-inspired boy planned terror attack at mosque, and pretended to convert to Islam to gain access
A Hitler-inspired teenager who was plotting a massacre at a mosque pretended to convert to Islam to gain access – weeks before a terror attack that police prevented.
The boy, who was 16 years old at the time, idolised the Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik and was caught by detectives as he made his way to burn down the Inverclyde Muslim Centre in Greenock in January.
He was hoping the mosque, which has a capacity of 275 worshippers, would be full.
It is understood the teen had boasted online about his plans to livestream the attack after becoming radicalised on social media aged 13.
The youth, who was dressed in black and carrying an air rifle, had successfully hoodwinked the imam that he was serious about switching religion.
The young neo-Nazi, who cannot be legally identified because of his age, was left alone to film and draw sketches of the areas where his victims, including children, would be trapped as the planned firebomb attack unfolded.
Muhammad Bilal
‘He told me a very shocking statement’
For the first time, the mosque has given exclusive access to Sky News cameras as it reflects on the experience of people there and discusses the trust that has been broken.
The centre’s imam, Muhammad Bilal, recalled the moment he first encountered the teenager and allowed him to join in prayers in December 2024.
Mr Bilal said: “When he came here, he was a very good boy and only wanted to become Muslim.
“When he came, I gave him the Koran to get more knowledge.
“He told me a very shocking statement. He told me that he wanted a balanced life. ‘What do you mean’, I asked? He said: ‘I want closer to my creator if I become Muslim.'”
The boy, who has an autism diagnosis, believed that white people were in a “war” against other races and had “developed sympathies” with the Nazi Party.
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‘It gives us a lesson for the future’
Hamid Akhtar from the Inverclyde Muslim Centre said the incident had acted as a wake-up call.
He told Sky News: “The frightening bit was that somebody was so nice and so conning. Making us a fool that he wanted to convert, and we were helping him in every way and trusting him.
“It gives us a lesson in future about who comes in and what their intentions are. We have more security cameras now.”
The boy created his own “manifesto” on his mobile phone in which he said he would “die for my land.”
His initial idea, which he called “hilarious”, was to carry out a terrorist attack at his school in Inverclyde.
He recorded himself walking through the education facility saying he planned to “liquidate” one of the offices.
Hamid Akhtar
The boy later boasted on Telegram about how he would ditch that idea and instead focus on the Greenock Mosque after managing to “infiltrate” the community.
As the massacre plot edged closer, the boy prepared a “final” manifesto stating he would attack “tomorrow” when “the mosque will be at its fullest”.
On the morning in question, the boy left his home with a rucksack and messaged friends, saying: “Today, I choose what my life was and will be.”
The boy appeared at the Islamic Centre but was unable to enter as the door was locked.
The teenager was left alone in this part of the mosque
Swastikas and explosive ingredients recovered
What he did not know was that police had received intelligence and were waiting to arrest him.
Inside his bag, detectives discovered a German-manufactured air pistol – capable of firing BBs – as well as ball bearings, gas cartridges, and four cans of aerosol spray.
Notepads containing swastikas were also recovered before officers later found a copy of Hitler’s book Mein Kampf, knives, and ingredients for explosive substances at his house.
The Inverclyde Islamic Centre told Sky News its community remains tighter than ever.
The street Inverclyde Muslim Centre is on
Adeel Naeen said: “The event is an isolated event, but I look at the community today and you see the number of people that come through the doors, so we are glad that the police were able to stop anything from happening.
“The community is still strong in terms of it’s not putting people off from gathering here.”
The teenager previously pleaded guilty under the Terrorism Act at the High Court in Glasgow.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
Wes Streeting has defended plans to make over 70s take compulsory eye tests every three years – which could see them banned from driving if they fail, it is understood.
Ministers are considering “tougher” measures to tackle road deaths and injuries in England and Wales, which they believe have “remained stubbornly high under successive Conservative governments”.
Under the new proposals, first reported by The Times, the drink-drive limit would be lowered to match the current rules in Scotland.
Currently, the drink-drive limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in England and Wales, or 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
But this is expected to be lowered to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath or 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, to match the stricter levels already enforced in Scotland.
Those caught not wearing a seatbelt could also receive penalty points for the first time, while drivers found on the road without insurance could also face more severe consequences.
As well as this, plans are currently being drawn up to make those aged 70 or over take a compulsory eye test every three years when they renew their driving licence.
Those who fail this would lose their right to drive under the proposals. It’s understood that tests for other conditions, such as dementia, are also being considered.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Streeting said the transport secretary is consulting and “considering a whole range of proposals”, which will be unveiled in the “not too distant future”.
It is understood that Heidi Alexander will unveil the measures in a new road safety strategy in the autumn.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to introduce the changes as part of the government’s road safety strategy in the autumn.
Pic: Reuters
The health secretary also defended the plans around elderly drivers.
He told broadcasters: “It cannot be right that we’ve ended up in a situation where the NHS is hit with a £2 billion a year bill because we are not taking road safety seriously enough – particularly as we get older and the quality of our eye health deteriorates, that we’re not keeping a regular check.”
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A Labour source said: “At the end of the last Labour government, the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads was at a record low, but numbers have remained stubbornly high under successive Conservative governments.
“In no other circumstance would we accept 1,600 people dying, with thousands more seriously injured, costing the NHS more than £2bn per year.
“This Labour government will deliver the first Road Safety Strategy in a decade, imposing tougher penalties on those breaking the law, protecting road users and restoring order to our roads.”
It comes after 1,633 people died in road traffic accidents in 2024, with nearly 28,000 victims seriously injured.
An amber heat health alert has been issued for large parts of England.
The amber alert – described as an “enhanced hot weather response” – covers East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, and the South East.
The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), is due to be in place from 9am on Tuesday, until 6pm on Wednesday.
Explainer: What is a heat-health alert?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued alerts across England
The UKHSA, a government agency for England, warned “significant impacts are likely” across health and social care services due to the high temperatures.
Parts of the country are facing a fourth heatwave of the summer, where highs pass a threshold on three consecutive days.
A yellow alert, also between 9am on Tuesday until 6pm on Wednesday, covers the North East, North West, Yorkshire, The Humber, and the South West.
Check the weather forecast where you are
Dr Paul Coleman, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said temperatures are forecast to rise above 30C (86F) across some areas which “can result in serious health outcomes” particularly for the elderly or those with serious health conditions.
“If you have friends, family or neighbours who are vulnerable, it is important to ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.
“Check in on them if you can to make sure they know that hot weather is on the way and how to keep themselves safe,” Dr Coleman said.
Temperatures could peak in the low 30s on Tuesday, with a small chance of hitting 35C (95F)
Sky News meteorologist Christopher England said the high pressure that brought the warmth of the last few days via the “heat dome” effect is moving east, as low pressure moves in towards the west.
“On Tuesday, southern Britain can expect temperatures widely into the low 30s… perhaps exceeding 35C (95F) in places,” he said.
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Drought in England explained
On 1 July, the UK recorded its hottest day of the year so far with a temperature of 34.7C (94.4F) recorded at St James’s Park in central London.
The Met Office’s criteria for a heatwave are met when temperatures are above a certain level for three consecutive days. This threshold varies from 25C to 28C (77F to 82F) depending on the location.
People enjoying the hot weather in North Shields in June. Pic: PA
Mr England added: “There’s around a 10% chance Wales may exceed its August peak temperature of 35.2C (95.3F) recorded at Hawarden on 2 August 1990.
“Expect some tropical nights too, with temperatures holding above 20C (68F).”
In July, the Met Office warned Britain’s climate is changing rapidly, with records regularly being smashed and extremes of heat and rainfall becoming the norm.
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The UKHSA has issued advice for keeping cool:
• close windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• seek shade and cover up outside
• use sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses
• keep out of the sun at the hottest times, between 11am and 3pm
• restrict physical activity to the cooler mornings or evenings
• know how to respond to heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Around 30 residents have been evacuated from their homes in north London after a water main burst, leaving roads under 44cm (17in) of water.
Seventy firefighters were dispatched by London Fire Brigade to the area around Canonbury Street in Islington just after 10pm on Sunday.
People have been urged to avoid the area including Essex Road, Elmore Street, Halliford Street and Ecclesbourne Road – and warned against driving through floodwater.
Canonbury Street in Islington experienced significant flooding. Pic: London Fire Brigade
Fire crews used flood barriers and sandbags to divert floodwater away from homes as they warned disruption was likely to continue into Monday afternoon.
Islington council also warned at 9am on Monday that Canonbury Street was closed from Essex Road up to Arran Walk.
A Thames Water spokesperson said: “We have now managed to stop the flow of water and ensure that the site is safe. We have also been able to move parked cars which were over another critical water main.
“We have a specialist team on site for those impacted by the incident, at Cedar Place on Essex Road, and are supporting customers who have been affected.
“To keep the public and our team safe, we’ve arranged equipment to help manage the traffic while we work in the road. We are sorry for the impact this may have on traffic in the area.”
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