Reading stabbings: Take 45-minute training course to help police fight extremists, urges Met's counter-terror chief

Scotland Yard's head of counter terrorism policing has called on Britons to complete a 45-minute training course to help the police fight the "scourge of terrorism".

The Home Secretary Priti Patel warned yesterday that the threat of lone wolf attackers was rising in the UK, and the online training course could equip people to spot a potential attacker.

Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu encouraged members of the public to view the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) website and complete the CT Policing online course.

He said in a statement: "If you're at work and you want more help to protect your colleagues and customers you can download our ACT app. There is also lots of free advice from us online.

"While what happened in Reading on Saturday night was horrific, I am proud of the heroes who rushed forward to help. I know these will be life changing events for you too.

"But your actions were an example to us all to step forward and play our part.

"Terrorists aim to divide and break society through fear. We can all help to stop them by working together."

Counter-terror police continue to question 25-year-old Lybian Khairi Saadallah, who has been arrested on the suspicion of murdering James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails.

The three men were killed in Forbury Gardens in Reading when an assailant allegedly started stabbing people at random on Saturday night as groups enjoyed drinks and picnics.

Neil Basu's statement, in full

The events in Reading were horrifying. Once again families are grieving and a community is in mourning.

For this to have happened after all we have gone through with coronavirus is especially devastating. But sadly, as one disease retreats, we need to stop another re-emerging.

Our investigation is moving quickly and we will do everything to ensure that justice is done for the victims and loved ones.

Saturday’s events can leave us feeling helpless. But you can play your part to protect yourself and your community from the scourge of terrorism.

As we begin to return to normal and public places become more crowded, we must be vigilant to the ongoing threat. If you see any suspicious activity, don’t hesitate to ACT - report it.

You can do that online, in confidence, via our Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) website at www.gov.uk/ACT. Please do not worry you may be wasting our time. We would much rather hear from you than miss an opportunity to step in before it’s too late.

You can learn what suspicious behaviour looks like by doing CT Policing’s online course. It takes 45 minutes to complete the course and be in a stronger position to help save lives. Over half a million people have already taken part and I thank you all.

If you’re at work and you want more help to protect your colleagues and customers you can download our ACT app. There is also lots of free advice from us online.

While what happened in Reading on Saturday night was horrific, I am proud of the heroes who rushed forward to help. I know these will be life changing events for you too. But your actions were an example to us all to step forward and play our part.

Tributes paid to three 'loveliest' friends

The three friends killed in a suspected terrorist attack in Reading have been described as kind, genuine and the "loveliest" people in the community.

Tributes were paid to Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, originally from Philadelphia in the US, history teacher James Furlong, 36, and David Wails.

A heart-shaped floral tribute to the three victims could be seen outside the Blagrave Arms pub in Reading, alongside candles and a note which read: "The Blagrave Arms management and staff are devastated at the announcement that the three people who died in the Forbury Gardens attack on Saturday were regular customers and very dear friends of ours.

"Our hearts go out to their family and friends, and the other victims of this horrific incident."

A message among the flowers paid tribute to the three, adding: "Our friends were the kindest, most genuine, and most loveliest people in our community that we had the pleasure in knowing.

"They'll be forever in our thoughts."

A friend said Mr Ritchie-Bennett and history teacher Mr Furlong were "great supporters" of the LGBT+ community.

"Their loss is a tragedy to so many people," Martin Cooper, 36, who is chief executive of LGBT+ charity Reading Pride, said.

"They will be sorely missed by myself personally and many in the community."

Mr Ritchie-Bennett's father said the attack had caused "some of the worst days of my life" and led to "sleepless nights".

Speaking in the US, Robert Ritchie-Bennett said: "We're going to bring him back here and bury him here because we want him close by."

Meanwhile, a friend of the three attack victims, Michael Main, described the "amazing, caring and beautiful men" he had known for six years.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he recalled Mr Wail's "dry sense of humour" and how "he would do anything for anyone that he could".

Mr Main said Mr Furlong was a "passionate" and "inspirational" teacher, while Mr Ritchie-Bennett was a "funny and a happy-go-lucky, true and unique individual".

Police walked suspect home hours before attack

Khairi Saadallah, 25, remains in custody after he was detained a short distance from the scene at Forbury Gardens and arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday night.

Saadallah, a refugee of the civil war in Libya briefly came to the attention of MI5 last year and police had reportedly been in contact with him just hours before the attack.

As counter-terror officers investigate Saturday's incident, mental health is understood to be seen as a major factor.

A mental health alert was raised when Saadallah was not home on Friday evening, and a "street triage" team of police officers and psychiatric nurses later found him in a street in Reading, the Daily Mail reported.

The team took him home to his council flat before midnight on Friday, just hours before he is alleged to have carried out the attack.

Any ideology or motivation behind the attack is still unclear, PA understands.

Saadallah was tackled to the ground by an unarmed police officer who has only been in the force for 14 months, and arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was later re-arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act, which gives powers to hold him without charge for up to 14 days.

On Monday, detectives were granted a warrant of further detention until Saturday. Police have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.

Security sources said that MI5 had received intelligence that Saadallah planned to travel abroad, but the information provided did not meet the threshold of investigation.