By James Simons-
A former soldier who absconded from a prison kitchen by strapping himself to the underside of a delivery van has been caught.
Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, was arrested in Chiswick, west London, on Saturday, after going missing in his cook’s uniform from HMP Wandsworth in London on Wednesday morning.
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Khaliffe’s escape from prison sparked a nation wide manhunt, with Met Chief, Sir Mark Rowley suggesting that his escape may have been the result of an inside job.
The Metropolitan police said they had arrested the fugitive just before 11am on Saturday. He is being held in police custody.
The force added: “We would like to thank the public and media for their support throughout our investigation to locate Khalife, and we will provide a further update on his arrest in due course.”
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Prime minister Rishi Sunak praised efforts by the police and the public in finding Khalife.
He told broadcasters at the G20 summit venue in Delhi, India: “I’m very pleased with the news and my thanks to the police officers for their fantastic work over the past couple of days, but also to the public who came forward with an enormous number of leads to help the police in their inquiries.”
He added: “This is obviously very welcome news. Again, my thanks to the police but also to the public for their help.”
Home Office minister Chris Philp alsio congratulated the police for their “rapid and effective” work to apprehend the terror suspect.
The policing minister wrote on social media: “Great work by the Met Police. Well done for a rapid and effective piece of work to catch this fugitive. An example of policing at its best. Congratulations to all officers involved in this operation.”
Officers said he had changed out of the prison kitchen uniform of a white T-shirt and red and white gingham trousers, into a black baseball cap, black T-shirt and dark-coloured trousers. They added that they believed he had been carrying a small bag or case.
Members of the public had reported sightings of him in the area, the other side of the River Thames from HMP Wandsworth.
Khaliffe’s escape sparked a major police hunt involving 150 counter-terrorism officers, with ports and airports placed on alert and some passengers facing delays as extra checks were carried out. Officers have also been urgently trying to establish whether he had help fleeing from HMP Wandsworth.
The jail was put on lockdown after Khalife fled. The escape had a knock-on effect of disrupting court hearings for other defendants on remand at the south London site.
Khalife was being held at the category B prison awaiting trial for allegedly planting a fake bomb and gathering information that might be useful to terrorists or enemies of the UK. He has denied the three charges against him.
The recent audacious escape of Khalife, a former soldier facing terrorism-related charges, from HMP Wandsworth sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom’s prison system. This high-profile incident in the process exposed significant flaws and vulnerabilities within the system, prompting widespread concerns about the security of inmates charged with grave offenses, staffing shortages, and adherence to security protocols.
.Khaliffe strapped himself to the underside of a delivery van, and managed to abscond while dressed in his prison kitchen uniform. What was supposed to be a routine prison workday turned into a high-stakes chase that would captivate the nation.
The escape took place on a Wednesday morning, a day that will be remembered for the audacity of Khalife’s actions and the questions it raised about the security of the UK’s prison facilities. Khalife’s arrest in Chiswick, west London, several days later was a sigh of relief for authorities, but the implications of his escape continue to reverberate throughout the criminal justice system.
Khalife, a 21-year-old former soldier, was no ordinary inmate. He was awaiting trial on charges that carried grave implications for national security. These charges included planting a fake bomb and collecting information that might be useful to terrorists or enemies of the UK. Such allegations are not taken lightly, and the escape of an individual facing these charges is a matter of utmost concern.
Investigators believe that he may have collected, recorded, published or communicated sensitive information that might have been useful to an enemy, in breach of the Official Secrets Act 1911. The country in question is understood to be Iran, although it is unclear how strong the link is alleged to be.
Khalife’s escape led to the immediate lockdown of HMP Wandsworth, a move aimed at preventing any further security breaches or disturbances within the prison. However, this lockdown also disrupted court hearings for other defendants on remand at the facility, highlighting the broader consequences of such incidents within the criminal justice system.
Security Classification and Inmate Placement
One of the most pressing questions arising from Khalife’s escape is the security classification of inmates charged with serious offenses. HMP Wandsworth is categorized as a Category B prison, which is not the highest level of security. Given the gravity of Khalife’s charges, concerns have been raised about the appropriateness of holding such individuals in a lower-security prison.
The classification of inmates is a complex process that takes into account various factors, including the nature of their offenses and their risk levels. Khalife’s escape has ignited a debate about whether individuals facing terrorism-related charges should be held in higher-security facilities, where the risk of escape and potential harm to society can be minimized.
Staffing Issues and Safety Concerns
The escape of a high-profile inmate like Khalife has drawn attention to staffing issues within the UK’s prison system. HMP Wandsworth, like many other prisons across the country, has faced challenges related to staffing levels. These challenges have raised concerns about the overall safety and security of the facility and its ability to manage high-risk inmates effectively.
The chief inspector of prisons, the chair of parliament’s justice committee, and the prison officers’ union have all sounded the alarm about staffing shortages and their potential impact on prison safety. Khalife’s escape serves as a stark reminder that the safety of both inmates and the wider community depends on a well-functioning and adequately staffed prison system.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Repercussions
In the wake of Khalife’s escape, a series of investigations have been launched to uncover the systemic failures that allowed it to occur. Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has emphasized the importance of these investigations, stating that “no stone must be left unturned” in getting to the bottom of what happened.
These investigations will delve into critical aspects of the escape, including staffing levels, security protocols, and the classification of inmates facing terrorism charges. It is imperative that these issues are thoroughly examined to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety and security of both inmates and the public.
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