Year In Review 2018: Prime Minister Plot

As 2018 draws to a close and the new year begins we’re looking back at Counter Terrorism Policing‘s commitment and dedication to protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity. This includes terror plots that have been foiled, acts of outstanding bravery and some of world’s most dangerous people being put behind bars. Join us as we look back over the past 12 months…

In 2018, a 21-year-old man was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment following a foiled plot to kill the Prime Minister.

Click for background:

BACKGROUND

Replica explosive device, Rahman believed to be a real 

In September 2017, Naa’imur Rahman from north-London unwittingly contacted an online role player working with the FBI, who in-turn introduced him to others from MI5 and Counter Terrorism Policing. Rahman gradually revealed his ambition to carry out a terrorist attack, targeting the Prime Minister. He gave details of the preparatory work he had been doing, including carrying out reconnaissance around Parliament.

Counter Terrorism detectives were able to recover CCTV footage of him carrying out the reconnaissance around Westminster. Rahman also sought the officers’ help to obtain a bomb and gave an undercover police officer his jacket and a rucksack to be converted into a suicide jacket and bomb in a bag. The officer again met Rahman a week later, on 28 November 2017, by which time the items had been converted into replica improvised explosive devices.

Rahman, on receipt of the items, told the covert officer “Now I’ve seen everything, it feels good,” not knowing that moments later he would be arrested. As Rahman walked away from the car, waiting Counter Terrorism officers and specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Firearms Command moved in and arrested him.

Naa’imur Rahman, sought to detonate a bomb in the vicinity of Downing Street. Rahman planned to use the ensuing chaos to gain access to Downing Street so that he could assassinate the Prime Minister, Teresa May.

However, unbeknown to Rahman, as he was putting his plans together he was confiding with a network of online role-players from the Metropolitan Police, MI5 and the FBI who, in turn, introduced him to undercover Counter Terrorism Police Officers.

Rahman went on to meet these officers on a number of occasions, culminating in his arrest in November 2017; shortly after Rahman collected what he believed to be a homemade bomb but was in fact a harmless replica.

Watch the moment 20 year old Naa’imur Rahman from north-London was arrested: 

Guilty: 20yo Naa’imur Rahman planned a terror attack to kill the Prime Minister.

A joint investigation between @terrorismpolice, MI5 and FBI foiled his plot. #ActionCountersTerrorism

Watch: Rahman arrested after covert investigation.
Details: https://t.co/o017LIaIEQ pic.twitter.com/yRCJyBxSGY

— Terrorism Police UK (@TerrorismPolice) 19 July 2018

Following a four-week trial, Rahman was found guilty on Wednesday, 18 July 2018, at the Old Bailey of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts.

Rahman pleaded guilty during his trial to engaging in conduct in assisting the preparation of terrorist acts. This charge relates to a “sponsorship” video he filmed for one of his associates.

Rahman was sentenced at the Old Bailey on the 31 August 2018 to life in prison with a minimum term of 30 years.

What you can do…

We need your help to stop terrorists being able to plan, prepare and carry out attacks, groom or recruit people or encourage others to carry out attacks. You may have seen or heard something that could be that vital piece of information that will help to stop a terrorist attack.

If you have any information about suspicious activity or behaviour please report it. Use our secure online form at gov.uk/ACT  Alternatively, you can call us on 0800 789 321.

In an emergency you should always dial 999.

If you’re interested in a career in Counter Terrorism Policing we have a range of vacancies from across the UK.