Terror attacker had just been released from jail

PM Johnson pledges changes to system of dealing with offenders

The man shot dead by police following a stabbing attack in south London was a convicted terrorist who had recently been released from prison.

It is understood that Sudesh Amman, who was jailed for possessing and distributing terrorist documents in December 2018, had been freed in the past six weeks and was living in a bail hostel.

He was under active police surveillance at the time of the attack on Streatham High Road, which police believe to be an Islamist-related terrorist incident.

A device found strapped to the body of the suspect was a hoax, the Metropolitan Police added in a statement.

Two people were stabbed, with one person in a life-threatening condition. Another woman was slightly injured by flying glass during the shooting.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government would announce further plans for “fundamental changes to the system for dealing with those convicted of terrorism offences” today.

He said the government had moved quickly to introduce measures strengthening its response to terrorism, including longer prison sentences and more money for police, following the attack at Fishmongers Hall, near London Bridge, in December.

Yesterday’s attack follows a similar one in London in November in which Usman Khan killed Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt before also being shot dead.

Khan was on temporaray release from prison for terror offences at the time of the fatal attacks.

Reports suggest Amman entered a shop and started stabbing people. It appears he then left the shop and stabbed a woman.

One witness described seeing him apparently carrying a weapon with “silver canisters on his chest” being shot in front of a Boots store.

Another said members of the public came to the aid of victims, with one saying she had been stabbed.

People took shelter in nearby shops as the incident unfolded.

A 19-year-old student from Streatham, who did not want to be named, told the PA news agency: “I was crossing the road when I saw a man with a machete and silver canisters on his chest being chased by what I assume was an undercover police officer, as they were in civilian clothing.

“The man was then shot. I think I heard three gun shots but I can’t quite remember. After that, I ran into the library to get to safety.”

Nardos Mulugeta, 52, a mechanical engineer who lives in Streatham, said he heard gunshots before seeing one victim lying in the street.

He told PA: “I heard a shot and then there was a 20-second gap. Then there were three or four shots together.

“I went over and I saw the first victim, a male victim on the ground, near the White Lion Pub, and people were helping him.

“Then five minutes later, a woman came over and said, ‘I’ve been stabbed too in the back’. And then people started helping her.

“I saw one body laying down further away. He was face-down between Argos and Iceland. It’s really scary.”

Yesterday evening, forensics officers could be seen near Superdrug and Boots examining the area for clues.

Picture: PA. Armed police at the scene in south London after undercover officers had shot dead convicted terrorist Sudesh Amman.

Sudesh Amman who was named last night as the knife attacker shot dead by police.