Latest news with #TalbotGreen
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Man who attacked officers with Molotov cocktail had been referred to Prevent
A man who had an 'extreme anti-government mindset' and attacked police officers armed with an axe and a Molotov cocktail, had been referred to an anti-terror programme a year earlier, police have said. Alexander Dighton, 28, attacked three officers on January 31 at Talbot Green police station in south Wales, stabbing one in the leg and punching another in the head. He attempted to set fire to police cars and used a variety of weapons in the incident, including a knife, a hatchet and a pole with sharpened metal plates fixed to the end. Senior police officers have now revealed that Dighton, who was described as a 'lonely' individual, had been referred to the Prevent programme 12 months before he carried out the attack, following concerns about his views on immigration and Islam. Despite the referral by his sister, it was decided that Dighton, who spent a lot of time online expressing far-right views and playing computer games, 'did not meet the criteria' to be included on the scheme. Detective Superintendent Andrew Williams of counter terrorism policing Wales said: 'Our investigations show that Dighton was motivated by an extreme anti-government mindset. 'He had extreme anti-immigration views, he had anti-Islam views, and he saw the police as a legitimate target, in his words as 'representatives or agents of the state'. 'Dighton was known to us. 'He was referred into the Prevent programme or for assessment by the Prevent programme in January 2024, 12 months before the attack took place. 'The concerns expressed in that referral were around his immigration views, his views around the religion of Islam and some sentiments he had expressed in relation to the involuntary celibate, or 'incel' movement.' The incel movement is made of people who find themselves unsuccessful in relationships, often blaming women, with some harbouring extreme views. Mr Williams said counter terrorism officers undertook a 'detailed assessment' over a three-week period during the referral, including interviewing Dighton, before the case was closed. He said: 'There was nothing in that referral or in the subsequent assessment that would give any indication whatsoever that Dighton would go on to commit an offence of the nature he did.' Mr Williams said the police have received 30,000 referrals in the last few years and 'judgement calls have to be made'. 'Alexander Dighton was a lonely individual who spent a lot of time online, he had a particular fascination with an online game called Warhammer (40K),' he said. 'He was also online, expressing a number of what could be deemed far-right views. 'In his own words, he formed the intention to carry out this attack approximately a month beforehand and his online activity ramped up in that month. 'Without a doubt, I suspect the online world highly contributed to what he did.' Mr Williams added that Dighton never published an account of what he planned to do before the incident, and he did not believe there had been prior contact with him before he was referred to Prevent.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Officers showed ‘exceptional bravery' during unprecedented police station attack
Officers showed 'exceptional bravery' when confronting a man armed with weapons and a firebomb in an 'unprecedented attack' outside a police station. Alexander Dighton, 28, attacked officers outside the Talbot Green police station in Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales, on January 31, stabbing one officer in the thigh and knocking another unconscious. He also used a Molotov cocktail to try to set fire to a police van. The attack, which officers said had a 'profound effect' on the community, is one of two major incidents to happen in Talbot Green this year, in a town normally regarded as one of the 'quietest areas' that South Wales Police covers. Speaking ahead of sentencing, Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones praised the officers who attended the incident, saying they showed 'absolutely exceptional bravery and professionalism'. He said: 'It is a moment of rarity that we see such a targeted attack at a police station, but it does underscore the absolute perilous and unpredictable nature that police officers face on a daily basis. The officers' actions were truly commendable. 'However, it has had a profound effect not only on the officers themselves but their families and the wider community. 'After all, the officers are not only public servants, they're husbands and wives, fathers and sons and mothers and daughters, and the impact has been far-reaching, particularly on the families supporting these officers.' Mr Jones said one officer received a deep wound to his inner thigh, narrowly missing his femoral artery. The officer has made a physical recovery. Another officer was knocked out during the attack and has suffered prolonged concussions as a result. 'But I think the impact of the mental scars will take some considerable time to heal,' he said. He added: 'This was one of the most serious, premeditated violent attacks that I have experienced – second-hand – in my service. The level of violence and preparation is unprecedented.' Mr Jones insisted that Talbot Green remains a 'very safe and quiet area' but acknowledged it had experienced two separate major incidents within a few weeks of each other. On March 9, five weeks after Dighton's attack, Joanne Penney was shot in the chest at an address in the town. Eight people have appeared in court in connection with her murder. Mr Jones said: 'Incidents like these are exceptionally rare for areas like Talbot Green, albeit I do recognise that we've had two significant major incidents occurring in Talbot Green within the space of weeks. 'We realise that it has an impact on the community, and it makes some people feel less reassured and more vulnerable. 'We have increased patrols, we have increased the number of officers working out of Talbot Green to look after the officers working there and also to protect the community.'
