The suspect in the Golders Green attack was referred to Prevent, the official counter-terrorism scheme, and cleared of being a terrorist danger six years before two Jewish men were stabbed.
His case was referred to Prevent in 2020 and closed within six weeks by the deradicalisation scheme, which has faced previous criticism for being ineffective.
The Guardian understands that the suspect’s name is Essa Suleiman.
The 45-year-old was arrested by the Metropolitan police on suspicion of murder on Wednesday shortly after the stabbings and is currently in custody.
Suleiman was born in February 1981 and came to the UK as a child.
The attack on Wednesday is being treated as terrorism by police, who are investigating whether the suspect was targeting Jewish people.
In a statement counter-terrorism police said: “We can confirm the suspect was known to the Prevent programme and was subject to a Prevent referral in 2020, which was closed in the same year.
“Given the investigation remains ongoing, we will not be providing any further information in respect of this matter at this time and we remain focused on securing justice for the victims of this attack.”
Prevent relies on people reporting those of concern, whom they believe may be at risk of supporting or carrying out terrorist violence. It is a voluntary scheme that aims to divert people away from offending and from a terrorist conviction.
The Met commissioner, Mark Rowley, has said the man arrested has a history of serious violence and mental health issues. He has previously been admitted to mental health hospitals.
The investigation into the suspect by counter-terrorism police and the security service, MI5, is at an early stage, but officers believe it is most likely that he carried out the north-west London attack alone.
Suleiman previously worked as a Somali translator and as a security guard, sometimes at sports pitches at a school in Wiltshire. He has been registered at an address in south London.
The victims of the Golders Green attack were Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76. Video appears to show Shine being attacked at a bus stop.
Police said the suspect was shot with a stun gun to subdue him.
The stabbings, which happened just after 11am on Wednesday, followed a series of arson attacks on Jewish targets in London since March, including two previous incidents in Golders Green.
Counter-terrorism officials are trying to determine which ideology may have triggered Wednesday’s violent attack. Both an Iran-linked group and Islamic State have supported violence against Jews.
