CTP declare David Amess MP murder a terrorist incident

Hours after the fatal stabbing of Conservative MP for Southed West David Amess in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday, it was declared as a terrorist incident by Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon.

The investigation is being led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command who are working closely with colleagues from the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit (ERSOU) and Essex Police.

Essex Police responded to an incident at an address in Eastwood Road North, Essex, shortly after 12.05hrs on Friday15 October.  At the scene, officers found a man with multiple stab wounds. He was given emergency medical treatment by emergency services, but sadly died at the scene.

Specialist officers are supporting Mr Amess’ family.

The suspect has been named as Ali Harbi Ali, who was born in Britain to parents who came to the UK from war-torn Somalia, and is thought to have been living in North London in the constituency of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Officers who arrived at the scene of the stabbing in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on Friday afternoon are understood to have found the alleged attacker waiting calmly in the church where the attack took place.

The man, who had apparently booked an appointment to see Sir David at his weekly constituency surgery, inflicted some 17 wounds on the Conservative MP.  As part of the investigation, officers are currently carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area and these are ongoing.

It is believed that he acted alone and we are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident at this time. However, enquiries into the circumstances continue.

Detectives would urge any witnesses or anyone with information about this incident to contact police.

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, then please call police in confidence on 0800 789 321. Anyone with moving footage or pictures is asked to submit them via https://ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk/