Woman Jailed for Life Over Deadly Terror Plot Targeting St Paul’s Cathedral and London Landmarks
Safiyya Shaikh, 37, from west London, has been sentenced to life behind bars with at least 14 years to serve for plotting terrorist attacks at St Paul’s Cathedral, a hotel, and a train station. She was also found guilty of spreading extremist material online.
Chilling Bomb Plot Exposed
The Old Bailey heard how Shaikh was arrested on 10 October 2019 after a joint undercover operation by the Met Police and MI5. She believed undercover officers could help her acquire explosives and handed over two bags she hoped would be turned into bombs.
Shaikh admitted planning to place bombs inside St Paul’s Cathedral and a nearby hotel. She also intended to detonate a suicide vest at a busy train station. In chilling conversations, she said she wanted to mimic the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter Sunday attacks, where suicide bombers killed hundreds in churches and hotels.
Dark Online Influence and Radicalisation
On 8 September 2019, Shaikh even photographed the interior of St Paul’s Cathedral, sending a picture to an undercover officer with the caption, “Under this dome I would like to put bomb.” After converting to Islam in 2007, Shaikh drifted into extremist circles online.
She ran a Telegram channel named ‘GreenB1irds’, sharing brutal terrorist videos and propaganda posters targeting places like Big Ben, London Bridge, and the Hilversum Church in the Netherlands. Some content was self-made.
Shaikh unabashedly told an undercover officer she “loved” watching graphic execution videos and gloated about how mainstream media unwittingly promoted her extremist messages.
Met Police Warn Public to Stay Vigilant
Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command, said:
“This case is a stark reminder that the threat from terrorism remains as real as ever. As lockdown eases and public spaces open up, we need the public to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious. Your tip could save lives.”
Shaikh pleaded guilty on 21 February to preparing terrorist acts and disseminating terrorist publications under the Terrorism Act 2006.
Commander Smith added:
“Shaikh was committed to spreading terror — not just through attacks, but by inspiring others even after her death. Thanks to the relentless work of the Met and MI5, she is behind bars. We continue to work hard every day to keep the public safe and need everyone’s help to spot danger early.”
