Community members will have heard the awful news about the killing of Member of Parliament Sir David Amess. Sir David died as a result of an incident that took place within his constituency in Essex on Friday. The thoughts of all of us within Policing are with Sir David's family, friends and colleagues.
The investigation is now being led by the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Counter-Terrorism Command and has been declared by the Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism as a terrorist incident. A 25-year-old British male has been arrested in connection with this incident and the police are not looking for anyone else at this stage. The early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism.
We know this terrible news will be felt strongly among communities in Essex and across the country and we recognise it will cause understandable concern. Police forces will continue to work closely with their communities and partners to provide updates and reassurance. The terrorism threat level remains the same at 'substantial'.
As leaders and representatives within your communities we appreciate that you can play a key role by reaching out to your own community groups and networks with messages of reassurance. We recognise that you will have particular concern about the security of MPs and those in public life. Police forces across the country, including the Counter-Terrorism Command, are offering additional advice and support to all MPs on this matter.
As always, anyone with information about a crime can call 101, 999 in an emergency or the police anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. Emotional and practical support is also available for anyone affected via the following website: https://victimsofterrorism.campaign.gov.uk/