South London Man Jailed for Plotting Mosque Bomb Attack
A south London man has been locked up for five years after trying to build a bomb aimed at a mosque. Steven Bishop, 41, was caught stockpiling fireworks and bomb components in a terror plot foiled by police.
Met Police Strike Before Terror Attack
Bishop was arrested in October 2018 after a key worker tipped off police. He had shown her pictures of his bomb-making materials and confessed his plan to target a mosque in south-west London. Met Counter Terrorism Command swooped, finding altered fireworks, fuses, and a remote control ignitor at his home and his mother’s address.
Bishop admitted to possession of explosive substances with intent and collecting terror-related information. He was sentenced to four years in prison for explosives offences plus one year on licence, and two further years concurrently for terror act violations.
Chilling Evidence Found Online
Police unearthed disturbing digital trails on Bishop’s phone. He had researched dark web access, watched videos on terror attacks in Manchester, London Bridge, and Paris, and ominously posted on Facebook: “don’t worry something bad is going to happen soon mark my words.”
He also downloaded VPN apps to cover his tracks but slipped up when officers found a page open about detonator research. Searches showed interest in Morden mosque, confirming his planned target.
Community on Alert, Police Urge Vigilance
Commander Clarke Jarrett said: “Thanks to the diligence of his key worker, we stopped Bishop before he could carry out his attack. No one was harmed. This shows how vital public reports are to keep us safe.”
He added ongoing support is being given to mosques and places of worship across the UK to enhance security and reassure communities, especially following Bishop’s focus and recent terror attacks abroad.
Anyone suspicious of terrorist activity is urged to call police on 0800 789 321. Bishop will face 15 years of terrorist offender monitoring after his release.
