Surrey stabbing being treated as terrorist incident ‘inspired by far-right’

Police said the attack "has all the hallmarks of a terror event"

A 19-year-old man was stabbed in Stanwell, Surrey on Saturday night in an attack police say they are treating as a terrorist incident "inspired by the far-right". Police were called to Viola Avenue in Stanwell before 10.30pm on Saturday to reports of man carrying a baseball bat and a knife, behaving aggressively and shouting racist comments. Shortly afterwards they received a further call saying that a man had been stabbed. Armed officers arrived and arrested the suspect, a 50-year-old man, on suspicion of attempted murder and racially aggravated public order. They believe the same man was behind both incidents. Police have said that the 19-year-old victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and is currently being treated in hospital. “Whilst this investigation is still in its infancy, it has hallmarks of a terror event, inspired by the far-right, and therefore it has been declared a terrorism incident," said Neil Basu, the Met Police's head of Counter Terrorism Policing. He continued: "The investigation is being led by an investigation team based in the Counter Terrorism Policing South East region, who are working closely with our colleagues in Surrey Police in order to build a better picture of what has occurred. “Police are committed to tackling all forms of toxic extremist ideology, which has the potential to threaten public safety and security. "Local officers will be out and about providing reassurance and protective security advice to communities, places of worship and businesses." Det Supt Karen Mizzi said: "This is a shocking and worrying incident and we are working to support our colleagues at Counter Terrorism Police South East with their enquiries and will continue to liaise with the local community. “I want to reassure residents that we are doing all we can to ensure a thorough investigation takes place and we are supporting those affected by last night’s events. “Patrols will be stepped up across Stanwell in order to provide assurances to those in the area specifically around mosques and increasing engagement with communities of all faiths, giving advice on how people and places can protect themselves."