COUNTER-TERRORISM officers have charged a teenager in the West Midlands as part of a continuing investigation.

Amir El-Harith, aged 18, from Smethwick, was arrested on Wednesday August 3 on suspicion of terrorism offences.

He has now been charged with three offences of distributing terrorist publications, three offences of encouraging terrorism and one offence of possession of information likely to be useful to someone committing or preparing an act of terrorism and he was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court today (Friday August 4).

The arrest was part of a Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU intelligence-led investigation.

A second teen, aged 17, was also arrested as part of the investigation and subsequently released on bail.

Police have stressed there was no immediate threat to public safety.