Counter Terrorism Policing in the UK are urging parents and guardians of teenage children to be aware of the signs of radicalization after a 22-year-old Alfie Coleman was jailed for planning to commit a terrorist attack. The investigation into Coleman found that he began to become radicalized online aged only 14.
A joint investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London and MI5 identified that he was plotting to purchase a gun. A proactive operation led to Coleman’s arrest by police just moments after he exchanged £3,500 for a firearm and ammunition at a car park in Stratford, East London on 29 September, 2023.
What Coleman didn’t realise was that he had actually arranged to meet undercover operatives and police officers swooped on him as he walked off with the bag containing the items. Following his arrest and charge, he was eventually found guilty of planning a terrorist attack on 30 April following a trial at the Old Bailey.
Alfie Douglas Coleman, 22 (18.06.2004) of Essex, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 8 July to 13-and-a-half years in jail, with another five years on licence. He must serve at least two thirds of the custodial period in jail.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “It is extremely concerning that such a young person was planning to murder innocent members of the public as part of an extreme right wing terrorist plot.
“But thankfully Counter Terrorism Policing, working with our colleagues in MI5, were able to intervene and arrest him before he was able to harm anyone, and I have little doubt that the brilliant work of all involved has prevented what could have been a real tragedy.
“What is particularly concerning is that Coleman was radicalized online from when he was just 14 years’ old, and sadly we’re seeing more and more examples of young people and children being drawn into violent extremism and terrorism this way.
“This is why I’m urging parents and carers to make sure that you are aware of what your children are doing online. While it may be difficult, it is vital that you have conversations with them, and if you are still concerned, then ACT Early and get in touch, so that they can be steered down a different path before it is too late.”
The investigation into Coleman involved the use of undercover operatives, who identified he was trying to get hold of firearms through his online contacts on extreme right-wing terrorism groups and forums.
Officers became increasingly concerned about Coleman’s activity in the summer of 2023 and as a result of further enquiries, the investigation team, which was also supported by officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, became aware he was attempting to purchase firearms in order to carry out an attack in support of his extreme right-wing terrorist ideology.
This led to Coleman arranging to purchase a Makarov pistol and ammunition, but unbeknown to him, he was actually in contact with an undercover operative.
Coleman travelled to Stratford on 29 September, 2023, taking with him £3,500 in cash. He then exchanged the cash for a bag containing the gun and ammunition and began to make his way off.
However, seconds later he was surrounded by police officers and arrested. Coleman was taken to custody where he was held and questioned by detectives for several days, as they also analysed various digital devices belonging to him.
They found a number of extremist and terrorist-related documents, as well as a manifesto-style document written by Coleman himself. In the various versions his ‘Diary’, it outlined Coleman’s perceived grievances, heavily influenced by extreme right-wing terrorist ideologies, as well as his plans and intentions to carry out an attack.
The investigation team found evidence on his devices dating back as far as 2019, when Coleman was only 14 years old. Detectives found he had downloaded a copy of a notorious extreme-right wing terrorist text in November 2020, when he was still only 16.
Between that point and his arrest, officers found Coleman had downloaded and accessed various other extremist and terrorist-related texts, as well as a number of manuals on how to use and make weapons and explosives.
Following close consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Coleman was charged on 11 October, 2023 with various offences. He pleaded guilty to ten counts of collecting information likely to be useful for terrorism (contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000); attempted possession of a firearm and attempted possession of ammunition (contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981).
Coleman was found guilty of preparation of terrorist acts (contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2000). He also pleaded guilty to 10 counts of collecting or possessing terrorism documents, contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and charges of attempted possession of a firearm and ammunition.
For these offences he was sentenced to a total of 10 years and two months in prison, this will be served concurrently to his sentence for the section 5 offence.
He will also be subject to a Part 4 notification order, which means he must share personal information with the police, for a period of 30 years.
The original announcement can be found here.
