Convicted terrorist recalled to prison in wake of London Bridge attack
A man arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts has been recalled to prison for a suspected breach of licence conditions, West Midlands Police have said.
The 34-year-old was detained after officers searched his home address in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
A spokesperson said his arrest is not linked to the London Bridge attack.
They added that there was ‘no immediate risk to public safety’ following the arrest.
Staffordshire Police deputy chief constable Nick Baker said a police cordon now remains in place at two properties in the county.
Forensic officers were continuing their investigation on Sunday night.
Mr Baker said: ‘These incidents have resulted in intense focus on the county and I would like to thank local communities and partners for their support and understanding while these crucial enquiries continue.’
It comes just as the Ministry of Justice launched an urgent review of terrorists released from prison following the London Bridge attack on Friday.
Usman Khan, 28, who was living in Stafford, killed two people and injured three others in a knife attack at a conference held in Fishmongers’ Hall.
He had been released from prison on licence in December 2018 and was wearing an electronic monitoring tag when he was shot dead by police on the bridge.
In 2012, he was convicted of terror offences and handed an indeterminate sentence for public protection, with a minimum term of eight years.
This meant he could have been kept in prison for as long he was deemed to be a threat to the public.
However, his sentence was quashed at the Court of Appeal in April 2013 and he was given a determinate 16-year jail term, with a five-year extended licence period, under legislation which meant he was released automatically halfway through the sentence.
Sentencing law changed later in 2012, and if Khan was given the same sentence today he would have had to serve at least two-thirds of it.
The incident at London Bridge has raised questions about the policy of releasing convicted terrorists on licence.
A spokesperson said his arrest is not linked to the London Bridge attack.
They added that there was ‘no immediate risk to public safety’ following the arrest.
Staffordshire Police deputy chief constable Nick Baker said a police cordon now remains in place at two properties in the county.
Forensic officers were continuing their investigation on Sunday night.
Mr Baker said: ‘These incidents have resulted in intense focus on the county and I would like to thank local communities and partners for their support and understanding while these crucial enquiries continue.’
It comes just as the Ministry of Justice launched an urgent review of terrorists released from prison following the London Bridge attack on Friday.
Usman Khan, 28, who was living in Stafford, killed two people and injured three others in a knife attack at a conference held in Fishmongers’ Hall.
He had been released from prison on licence in December 2018 and was wearing an electronic monitoring tag when he was shot dead by police on the bridge.
In 2012, he was convicted of terror offences and handed an indeterminate sentence for public protection, with a minimum term of eight years.
This meant he could have been kept in prison for as long he was deemed to be a threat to the public.
However, his sentence was quashed at the Court of Appeal in April 2013 and he was given a determinate 16-year jail term, with a five-year extended licence period, under legislation which meant he was released automatically halfway through the sentence.
Sentencing law changed later in 2012, and if Khan was given the same sentence today he would have had to serve at least two-thirds of it.
The incident at London Bridge has raised questions about the policy of releasing convicted terrorists on licence.