Terrorist Suspects Charged with "Hostile Reconnaissance" in Shepherd's Bush

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Targets said to be police station and Territorial Army Barracks

The Metropolitan Police say that five men have been charged following terrorist arrests over the last two weeks, with charges including "hostile reconnaissance" of two locations in Shepherd's Bush - the local police station and White City Territorial Army Barracks in South Africa Road.

The four men are Tarik Hassane, 21 of Princess Alice House, Dalgarno Way, W10, Suhaib Majeed, 20 of Cherwell House, Church Street Estate, NW8, Nyall Hamlett, 24 of Hanwell House, Great Western Road, W2 and Momen Motasim, 21 of Reading House, Hallfield Estate, W2.

They have been jointly charged under section 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006.

The counts include swearing an oath of allegiance to Islamic State (IS) a proscribed organization, discussing and agreeing the sourcing of a firearm, conducting research into makes of firearm and agreeing to supply and procure a Baikal handgun and ammunition which they then stored.

They are also accused of viewing and retaining Instagram images of two Metropolitan Police Officers and two Community Support Officers.

The group are accused of sourcing a suitable make of moped which was stored in Shepherd's Bush and conducting 'hostile reconnaissance utilising Google Street View mapping of Shepherds Bush Police Station and White City Territorial Army Barracks.'

In addition they are charged with possessing extremist jihadi material containing among other articles graphic images of the beheading of Steven Sotloff.

A fifth man, Nathan Cuffy, 25 of Sandbourne House, Dartmouth Close, London W11 is charged with firearms offences relating to transferring the Baikal handgun, a silencer and ammunition to Nyall Hamlett.

All five men will be appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court at 14.30 today, 17 October.

Two men arrested on Tuesday, 7 October on suspicion of being concerned in the Commission, Preparation or Instigation of acts of Terrorism were released from custody on Monday, 13 October.

A sixth man also arrested on 7 October on on suspicion of being concerned in the Commission, Preparation or Instigation of acts of Terrorism - was released from custody on Friday, 17 October. Evidence was submitted to the CPS which advised there was insufficient evidence to charge at this time.

A 19-year-old woman has been released on police bail until next week pending further enquiries.

October 17, 2014