𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The suspect in the Golders Green knife attacks had previously been referred to the Government’s de-radicalisation programme, Prevent. Detectives said the alleged attacker was assessed in 2020.

The 45-year-old was born in Somalia, but came to the UK as a child in the early 1990s. One of his parents had been granted the right to remain after fleeing the east African country and their son later joined them.

He was then given British citizenship, it is understood.

The admission comes after Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed the accused assailant had a history of “serious violence and mental health issues.”

In a statement the Met Police said: “We can confirm the suspect was known to the Prevent programme and was subject to a Prevent referral in 2020, which was closed in the same year.

“Given the investigation remains ongoing, we will not be providing any further information in respect of this matter at this time and we remain focused on securing justice for the victims of this attack.”

Refom’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, declared: “Yet another failure of Prevent, which is totally unfit for purpose. How many more of these must the British people put up with? It needs a total overhaul, and to focus on stopping extremists before they attack innocent people.”