Sudesh Amman, a 20-year-old terrorist who was released from jail in January but was under monitoring, stabbed two people yesterday (February 02) afternoon on Streatham High Road in what has been described as an isolated incident.
The two stab victims are now both out of the woods, while Amman had been killed after the attack in Lambeth. A third victim, meanwhile, suffered minor injuries which deputy assistant commissioner (DAC) Lucy D’Orsi (pictured) of the Metropolitan Police said are believed to have been caused by glass when the terrorist was fired at.
“Armed officers, who were part of a proactive counter-terrorism surveillance operation and were following the suspect on foot, were in immediate attendance and shot a male suspect dead at the scene,” noted D’Orsi in an update issued Sunday evening.
“The suspect had been recently released from prison where he had been serving a sentence for Islamist-related terrorism offences.”
Amman, who was convicted in 2018, had not finished his prison sentence prior to the release.
Meanwhile DAC D’Orsi added: “We are confident that this is an isolated incident that has been contained. Officers from our Counter Terrorism Command are investigating at pace.
“We are also liaising and cooperating with the Independent Office of Police Conduct as they conduct their necessary inquiries.”
Prime Minister’s message
Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones following what he called a “horrific” attack.
Johnson went on to state: “I want to pay tribute to the speed and bravery of the police who responded and confronted the attacker – preventing further injuries and violence – and all of the emergency services who came to the aid of others.
“An investigation is taking place at pace to establish the full facts of what happened, and the government will provide all necessary support to the police and security services as this work goes on.”
The Prime Minister, citing last year’s “awful events at Fishmongers’ Hall,” also pointed to how they have moved quickly to introduce a package of measures aimed at strengthening every element of the terrorism response.
“Tomorrow (February 03), we will announce further plans for fundamental changes to the system for dealing with those convicted of terrorism offences,” said Johnson.
The perpetrator in the Fishmongers’ Hall stabbing incident was also freed mid-sentence before being killed in November 2019.
