British boy investigated after ‘terrorist house’ spelling error

London – A 10-year-old British Muslim boy has been interviewed by police after making a spelling mistake and writing that he lived in a “terrorist house”, instead of “terraced house”.

The BBC reported that the boy and his family were questioned by police over suspected terrorism links. The family’s laptop was also examined.

The boy, who lives in Lancashire, made the error in his primary school English class in December.

In terms of the 2015 Counter Terrorism and Security Act, British teachers are legally obliged to report extremist behaviour to authorities in order to prevent extremist radicalisation taking place, the Guardian reported.

The boy’s family was reportedly shocked over the incident, and sought an apology from police and the school, according to the BBC. They said he is now scared of writing and using his imagination, and the concerns should be over his spelling, not terrorism.

Meanwhile, AFP reported on Tuesday that the Britain’s government backed schools that want to ban Muslim women and girls from wearing full-face veils, as part of increased efforts to counter the appeal of groups like ISIS. The government has also launched a website to help parents concerned their children may be at risk of radicalisation.