Streatham terror attack could have been prevented, inquest finds

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Alan Reid, the former national security lead for the probation service, said: “There was certainly scope to do a routine search the overarching impression that I was left with was that we didn’t want to take any action that would compromise the police operation.” Carina Heckroodt, head of the London Extremism Gangs and Organised Crime Unit at the probation service, also denied there was a “missed opportunity” to recall Amman to prison after his Poundland purchases. open image in gallery A CCTV still showing undercover armed police officers chasing Sudesh Amman, right, with their guns drawn after he stabbed two people in the Streatham attack He was directed to enter the shop to monitor Amman’s activities but was still around 15m away when he ran out with the stolen knife. BX87 described seeing Amman stab his first victim and shout “Allahu akbar”, meaning “God is great”, adding: “It was at this point, really, that it really dawned on me that this was a terror attack, and that he was looking to attack numerous people.” An officer codenamed BX75 to protect his identity described Amman “locking eyes” with him as he ran along Streatham High Street. A Metropolitan Police officer claimed the surveillance operation that was active during the attack “could not have achieved a more effective result” in the circumstances, and prevented Amman harming more people.