A man wearing a “hoax device” shot dead by police in London Sunday after stabbing two people had recently been released from prison for previous terrorism offenses, British media reported.
The suspect was released last month after serving around half of an approximate three-year sentence for disseminating terrorist material, according to multiple reports.
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.
Three people were injured but none are in a life-threatening condition.
Scotland Yard said officers were searching addresses in south London and Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire.
“No arrests have been made and enquiries continue at pace,” the Metropolitan Police said.
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” on Monday.
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 November.
