Inquest finds Streatham attack could have been prevented

The jury at the inquest into the terrorist attack of Sudesh Amman on Streatham High Road in February 2020 has claimed that the attack could have been prevented.

20-year-old Amman was shot dead by two of nine covert officers who were tracking him after he wounded a man and woman on the street while wearing a fake suicide belt.

Following a two-and-a-half-week hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, jurors have concluded that Amman had been lawfully killed as they were directed to do so by the coroner Mr Justice Hillard.

However, they also found that opportunities were missed by police and probation services to intervene earlier to prevent the attack.

Jurors say that the attack may have been prevented had Amman been recalled to prison after buying items used in his fake suicide belt. Earlier in the inquest it was revealed that Amman was released from Belmarsh high security prison into the community despite concerns from the police and MI5 that he was ‘one of the most dangerous individuals’ in country with an ‘extremist mindset’ and likely to attack.

Two days before the attack Amman was seen purchasing items, including four small bottles of Irn Bru, parcel tape and tin foil, leading to correct suspicions that he was planning to make a hoax suicide belt.