Young Met Officer Charged Over Terror Links and Child Images
A probationary Metropolitan Police officer has been hit with five serious charges following a Met Counter Terrorism investigation.
Benjamin Hannam: From Rookie to Accused
Benjamin Hannam, 21, from north London, has been suspended and charged with multiple offences. The claims span terrorism ties, fraudulent police applications, and possession of child abuse images.
Terror Group Membership and Fraud Allegations
- Between December 2016 and January 2018, Hannam is accused of being part of National Action, a banned extremist group, breaking the Terrorism Act 2000.
- He allegedly lied twice on his Metropolitan Police application and vetting forms, denying any membership of National Action to secure his job—charges under the Fraud Act 2006.
Grim Child Exploitation Charges
- On 22 July 2018, Hannam was caught with an indecent photograph of a child, violating the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
- Additionally, he possessed prohibited child images on 27 November 2016, breaching the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
Hannam is due back in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 6 August. The Met has suspended him pending further investigation.
