Statement from Matt Jukes on behalf of Counter Terrorism Policing:
Matt Jukes, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing
My thoughts, and those of everyone at Counter Terrorism Policing, are with the family and friends of Mr Carney. I know that today, much like every day since his death, will have been incredibly difficult for his loved ones; they have had to face the devastating loss of a much a loved husband, father, and grandfather.
They have asked for privacy so that they can grieve as a family, and I would ask everyone to please respect that wish.
I also want to acknowledge the impact of these events on Mr Javad Nouri, the other victim of that day’s violence.
The attack on Sunday 15th October last year was violent and cowardly. Mr Carney had no chance, or time, to defend himself and the perpetrator of this attack admitted after his arrest, that he would not have been his only victim that day had he been able to continue his attack.
I therefore want to also praise the swift and brave actions taken by officers from Cleveland Police, Mr Nouri and the other occupants of the property who ensured the perpetrator did not claim any more lives.
This awful incident took place just one week after the 7th October terrorist attack on Israel and before the full-scale conflict that has since unfolded in the Middle East. It is now evident, and as made clear by the judge, that Ahmed Alid’s existing extremist mind set and hatred accelerated over that week.
He was galvanised by international events and therefore felt justified to commit such a heinous attack. We have seen similar terrorist acts by individuals across Europe in recent months, and amongst our current casework, there are investigations into comparable risks that we continue to pursue alongside our partners.
When we disrupt terrorist planning – as we do month-in, month-out – we’re constantly learning lessons. And when terrorist attacks take place, we look even harder to understand where the potential to detect and disrupt future attackers lies.
This will remain a partnership with local policing and critically, with the public. We have received extraordinary levels of contact from the public since October last year on issues from objectionable material online to family members who are worried that a loved one is going down a dangerous path.
Officers and staff from Counter Terrorism Policing are working around the clock with MI5, and other partners, to intervene against a range of threats. From sophisticated international plots to the volatile behaviour of lone actors. Days like today steel us to continue that work with determination.
More information on today’s sentencing of Ahmed Alid: Man Given Life Sentence for Hartlepool Terrorist Attack | Counter Terrorism Policing
Action Counters Terrorism. Gov.uk/ACT