“Today is not a day for celebration" counter terrorism police have said, after a teenage boy from the Isle of Wight was found guilty of terror offences — including plotting an attack at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Lead officers have been reacting following the 16-year-old's conviction at Kingston Crown Court today (Monday).

As previously reported, a jury found the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, guilty of three counts of the dissemination of terrorist publications, engaging in conduct in the preparation of terrorist acts, and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

He had previously denied the charges but was convicted following trial.

Read more: Teen found guilty of plotting Isle of Wight Festival terror attack

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s area commander for the Isle of Wight, superintendent Rob Mitchell called the verdict "a really tragic case of a young boy who found himself exploited by Daesh propaganda."

While detective chief superintendent Olly Wright, head of CTPSE, said: "There can never be satisfaction when a child so young is convicted of such serious charges".

The court heard the boy researched potential targets to attack, including the Isle of Wight Festival in June 2022, together with weapons, vehicles, stab vests and other items.

After discarding the festival as a target because he did not have a vehicle, the youth went on to draw up plans to stab people.

The offences took place in 2022, between June 18 and July 11, the day the defendant was arrested.

He was planning to attack people he believed had insulted Islam and was found with a knife in his possession when he was detained.

Aged 15 at the time, he was diagnosed with autism and became increasingly more radicalised after he converted to Islam in 2021, said Serena Gates, prosecuting, in her opening statement to the court.

Superintendent Mitchell said: “Cases of this nature are, thankfully, relatively rare, but I do understand this investigation will have had a significant impact on the people of the Isle of Wight. 

“No-one is exempt from the risk of extremism and terrorism, but together Action Counters Terrorism and if you have any concerns that someone you know has been, or is being, radicalised, you can Act Early to get them the help they need and deserve”.

Detective chief superintendent Wright added: “Our primary objective is always to protect our communities from those who wish to do them harm.

"In this case, unfortunately we found someone who had been radicalised by Daesh propaganda into believing it was acceptable to hurt innocent people.

"CTPSE had to act quickly, with the help of our local police partners, to arrest and detain him.

"This was to protect the public and establish fully what his plans were."

The boy is due to be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on 15 April.