A 22-year-old has been jailed for 13-and-a-half years after planning to commit a terrorist attack.

A joint investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London and MI5 found that Alfie Coleman was planning to purchase a gun.

A police operation led to his arrest after he exchanged £3,500 for a firearm and ammunition with undercover operatives at a car park in Stratford, East London on 29 September, 2023. 

Coleman, from Essex, was found guilty of planning a terrorist attack on 30 April following a trial at the Old Bailey. He has now been sentenced 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.

The investigation found that Coleman first started to become radicalised online at the age of 14. Parents are being urged to be aware of what their children are doing online and have conversations with them.

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 radicalised 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.”