Police declare 'far right terror incident' after man stabbed in Surrey, UK - UPDATE

BBC
Sun, 17 Mar 2019 18:22 UTC

Google Image caption Counter terrorism units were called to Viola Avenue

Counter terrorism police are investigating the suspected far-right inspired attack in which a man suffered non-fatal stab wounds.

The attack was on Saturday night in Stanwell, Surrey, where a man carrying a baseball bat and a knife was seen shouting racist comments.

A man aged 50 was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a racially-aggravated public order offence.

Counter terrorism police said it had the "hallmarks of a terror event".

The 19-year-old victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said: "Whilst this investigation is still in its infancy, it has hallmarks of a terror event, inspired by the far right, and therefore it has been declared a terrorism incident."

Categorising it this way allowed the force to "use all of the specialist capabilities available to establish the full circumstances", he said.

The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism South East in collaboration with Surrey Police.

Mr Basu said: "Police are committed to tackling all forms of toxic extremist ideology, which has the potential to threaten public safety and security."

Local officers have been deployed to provide reassurance and protective security advice to communities, places of worship and businesses.

Police, including armed officers, were called to Viola Avenue and found several vehicles damaged.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged contact Surrey Police.

Comment: See also: 'Clash of Civilizations' Arrives in New Zealand: 49 Massacred by Multiple Gunmen During Multi-Site Terror Attack in Christchurch

UPDATE: Monday 18th March at 23:00

The Mirror reports:

Stanwell stabbing: Terror police continue to question man, 50

© Steve Parsons / PA

The suspect was seen brandishing weapons and hurling racist abuse before the stabbing

[...]

A 50-year-old local man is being held on suspicion of attempted murder and a racially-aggravated offence.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid called on society to "reject the terrorists and extremists who seek to divide us".

Officers were called at about 22:30 GMT on Saturday to reports a man was acting aggressively while carrying weapons in Viola Avenue, where vehicles had been damaged.

They then received another call reporting a stabbing nearby. Armed police swooped and arrested the suspect.

'He needs help'

The 19-year-old victim went to a nearby McDonald's for help and was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

However, the girlfriend of the arrested man has claimed he "needs help" and is in "no way a terrorist".

Nemer Salem, 24, who lives on Viola Avenue, said the man was shouting from a window "crazy things about Muslims".

Vincent Sutherland, who also lives on the road, said: "He was shouting 'kill a Muslim' and 'white supremacy'."

But he added: "He's polite, he always says hello to me."

The BBC understands complaints have been made in the past about the suspect's behaviour to A2Dominion, the housing association which owns the property in which he lives.

A spokesperson for A2Dominion said: "We are aware of the incident in Stanwell. As this relates to an ongoing police investigation, we are unable to comment at this time but will cooperate with the police if and when called upon to do so."

The girlfriend of the arrested man said: "It's not like him, he's the loveliest guy you could meet.

"He needs help. He's had a lot going on in his life and I think this was just something that tipped him.

"He's the love of my life and I will stand by him."

[...]

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