Clapham attack: Abdul Ezedi’s workplace raided by armed police in Newcastle – latest

On Wednesday, a Baptist church in Tyne and Wear confirmed it was aware of a “connection” it had with the suspect.

In a statement, the church in Jarrow said: “Grange Road Baptist Church brings together and welcomes people from all walks of life and from many different nations.

“We are aware of the connection Abdul Shakoor Ezedi has had with our church.

“As soon as we became aware of the current situation, we made contact with and are co-operating with the relevant authorities. We are praying for all those affected by the situation.”

Armed officers raided Best Bite Pizza in Forest Hall, Newcastle where Abdul Ezedi worked, along with another unknown property. No arrests were made.

A spokesperson said:“In the early hours of this morning, Thursday 8 February, armed police executed two warrants in Newcastle at addresses associated with Ezedi, including his place of work. This was a joint operation between Northumbria Police and the Met.

“No arrests were made, enquiries and searches continue.”

MP for Streatham Bell Ribeiro-Addy backed a fundraiser for the alkaline attack victim’s family.

She told The Independent: “It is a wonderful thing they are doing to support their dear friend. With a decline in support and specialist violence against women and girls services, they know all too well how much victims often struggle to rebuild their lives.

“They are determined to make sure the family have all they need as they recover from this horrific attack. When I spoke to friends of the victim they said they’re grateful to local people that assisted them during the attack. All together it shows the great strength of community in our area.”

The Metropolitan Police said two raids were carried out by armed officers at addresses in Newcastle associated with alkali attack suspect Abdul Ezedi in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The force said it was a joint operation with Northumbria Police.

The addresses included Ezedi’s place of work, the Met added.

No arrests were made and inquiries and searches continue, police said.

Darius Nasimi, from the charity the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association, told reporters that Abdul Ezedi should hand himself in a week on from his shocking attack.

He said: “This is a tragic incident for this mother and her two children. Violence against women and girls can not be tolerated.

“I would urge the Afghan community to help the police and provide any information at all about where Ezedi is, who is providing him with accommodation, who is harbouring him and helping him evade capture. You can also speak to our charity and we will help liaise with the police and pass information on if you feel you don’t want to speak to them directly.

“I make a direct appeal to him – hand yourself in. This has been going on for long enough. You need medical attention.

“What has happened in this case should have no reflection on the people of Afghanistan in the UK. This does not represent them.”

On Wednesday, police confirmed for the first time that the victim had been in a relationship with Ezedi but it had broken down.

She had agreed to meet him on the day of the attack and was in his car with her young children when he struck.

Detectives wouldn’t confirm if the relationship was digital or physical.

Investigators said they are keeping an open mind as to whether Ezedi, an Afghan refugee who came to the UK on a lorry in 2016, has come to harm or is being helped to stay hidden.

He fled the scene in Clapham, at first using his bank card to travel around on the Tube network, and then walking a route that appeared to hug the banks of the River Thames.

The most recent sighting was on Vauxhall Bridge Road just after 11pm on the night of the attack, with counter-terrorism officers drafted in to go through hundreds of hours of CCTV to track his route.

Police said there is no evidence yet to suggest that he jumped in the river.

They have received hundreds of calls with potential sightings of Ezedi, who is from Newcastle and had driven down to London early on the morning of January 31.

In a statement close friends of the victim who have launched a fundraiser for the family said: “Our friend is first and foremost a devoted and loving mother.

“Her children are her life. She is generous to a fault and a wonderful cook and host.

“All she has ever wanted is a safe home for her and her beautiful, kind little girls.”

Neighbours in Lessar Avenue, Clapham, rushed to help the family in the wake of the harrowing violence, a number of whom were injured themselves.

The friends’ statement continued: “As their loved ones we are still coming to terms with the fact that this monstrous attack will change their lives forever.

“It is difficult to imagine now how they will recover, and all we want is for them to be able to rebuild their lives.

“We cannot put into words how grateful we are to the heroic neighbours of Lessar Avenue.

“They risked their own lives to save them and we can only imagine how distressing the attack was for them too. They are angels in our eyes.”

In all, 12 people needed hospital treatment after the “targeted” attack in Lessar Avenue, which left the mother with injuries likely to be life-changing.

Rather than attack the principle of giving refuge in the UK, we should use the Abdul Ezedi case to find ways to make the asylum system work so that it protects the public, says Sean O’Grady