‘Good progress’ in attack investigation

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said police had made good progress in the investigation into the Parsons Green terror attack as the UK’s threat level was lowered from critical to severe.

We will never be intimidated by terrorism. Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London.

HOME SECRETARY Amber Rudd said police had made good progress in the investigation into the Parsons Green terror attack as the UK’s threat level was lowered from critical to severe.

Two people arrested in connection with the incident remained in custody last night as searches were under way at separate addresses in Surrey.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, the country’s top counter-terrorism officer, said developments in the operation had provided greater clarity on the attack.

He said: “We are getting a greater understanding of the preparation of the device.

“There is still much more to do but this greater clarity and this progress has led JTAC – the independent body that assesses threat – to come to the judgement that an attack is no longer imminent.”

An 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old man were arrested by police on Saturday.

Further details emerged about the youngest suspect after a local politician claimed he was an Iraqi refugee who had moved to the country aged 15 when his parents died.

The teenager had been detained in the departure area of Dover ferry port.

Police were yesterday continuing searches in Sunbury-onThames at the home of Penelope and Ronald Jones, aged 71 and 88, who previously received MBEs for services to children and families.

A family friend, who asked not to be named, said the 18-year-old suspect had recently left the care of the couple, who have been foster parents for almost 40 years and taken in up to 300 children.

“He has only been there a few weeks, he was a refugee,” she said. “He moved out a few weeks ago he turned 18 and left.”

She said she had known Mr and Mrs Jones for around eight years, and the couple had fostered eight refugees.

“I was shocked when I heard. It is horrible when you know them,” she said. “They are kind people. Penny is such a nice person - she would give you the shirt off her back.”

A second address in Stanwell, metres from the runway at Heathrow Terminal 5, was yesterday raided in connection with the arrest of the 21-year-old man in Hounslow late on Saturday evening.

Neighbours said he had moved to the area about 14 months ago and was from North Africa.

Thirty people were injured when the improvised device exploded during rush hour at Parsons Green station, with all but one discharged from hospital.

The lowering of the threat level from critical to severe means another attack is no longer imminent, but still highly likely.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said more police, including armed officers, would be seen on the streets of the capital in coming days as he urged people to be vigilant.

“They are there to keep us safe,” he said. “London’s response to this attack shows once again that we will never be intimidated by terrorism.”

Armed police are set to maintain a strong presence across the country in coming days, while military personnel drafted in to provide support will be phased out.