A man whose PIN code for his phone was ‘ISIS’ has today, Monday 3 July, been sentenced to life imprisonment. He will serve at least 15 years before being considered for parole.
Haroon Ali Syed, 19 (12.07.97), from Hounslow, pleaded guilty on 27 April to preparing for acts of terrorism between 12 April and 9 September 2016, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Syed admitted trying to get a machine gun, handguns, suicide vest and bomb but when he couldn’t raise any finance through loan applications, settled on trying to source a bomb, with a special request for it to be packed with nails so he could detonate it in a crowded place such as Oxford Street.
In April 2016, Syed began unwittingly speaking to a security services officer online, requesting assistance to source weapons.
He told the officer of his ambitions to obtain firearms and remotely detonate a bomb in a crowded place.
Subsequent digital forensic analysis of his electronic devices showed he carried out numerous internet searches for Isis propaganda, bomb making guides and what appear to be articles justifying the killing of women and children.
Officers from the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command arrested Syed at his home in Hounslow on 8 September.
They seized all of his electronic equipment which later supported the case against him.
Commander Dean Haydon, MPS Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Our close working relationship with MI5 ensured we uncovered evidence that Syed was plotting to kill innocent members of the public.
“Today’s sentence has ensured that a dangerous individual harbouring violent, terrorist ambitions has been removed from our community.
“This case is another example of the severity of the current threat from terrorism, which we cannot tackle alone. I urge communities to continue to support the police by reporting anything they feel is suspicious. Even if you think it is insignificant, please report it, and our specialist officers will decide the best course of action.”
Anyone who notices anything suspicious – be it odd or unusual behaviour or something that just doesn’t feel right – is urged to call police in confidence on 0800 789 321 or report it via the online secure form at http://www.gov.uk/act
+ Two other men arrested at the same time as Syed were later released with no further action.
