In a significant development, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed a sighting of the escaped terror suspect, Daniel Abed Khalife, in southwest London. Khalife, a 21-year-old former soldier, is believed to have been spotted fleeing from a lorry near Wandsworth Roundabout, which is located approximately a mile from Wandsworth Prison where he escaped. The Metropolitan Police have announced a reward of up to £20,000 for information that leads to Khalife’s arrest.
Since Khalife’s escape from Wandsworth Prison on Wednesday morning, the search for him has evolved into a substantial operation led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command. Over 150 counter-terrorism officers and staff, with support from various police forces, have been tirelessly working around the clock, conducting extensive inquiries to locate Khalife.
The breakthrough came when detectives received information from a member of the public who reported having seen a man matching Khalife’s description walking away from a Bidfood van near the south entrance to the Wandsworth Roundabout. Shortly after the sighting, the individual was observed heading towards Wandsworth town center. This crucial lead is one of several key lines of enquiry currently being pursued by investigators.
To encourage further cooperation from the public and hasten Khalife’s capture, a substantial reward of £20,000 is now being offered for information directly contributing to his arrest.
Dominic Murphy, the Metropolitan Police’s counterterrorism commander, addressed the media regarding this significant development. He emphasised the importance of public support and disclosed that the police have already received over 100 calls related to Khalife. Murphy urged anyone with information to come forward, as every lead could prove instrumental in bringing Khalife to justice.
To report a live sighting of Khalife or provide urgent information, the public is encouraged to call 999. Alternatively, those with details that may assist the ongoing investigation can contact the police on 101. In addition, the police have launched the UK Image Appeal website, allowing individuals to submit relevant imagery and video directly to the investigation team. This can include CCTV footage, doorbell footage, mobile phone recordings, or dash-cam footage, all of which could aid in the search for Khalife.
