Jason Savage, a 35-year-old resident of Fourth Avenue, Small Heath, has been convicted of planning a terrorist attack targeting a mosque and a bookshop in Birmingham. The verdict was delivered today at Birmingham Crown Court after a two-year trial.
The jury heard that Savage had meticulously researched and prepared for the attack from March 2022 until his arrest in March 2024. Savage, who converted to Islam in the 2010s, followed an extreme and violent interpretation of the Salafi movement, prosecutors revealed.
Prosecutors outlined that Savage specifically targeted a Salafi cleric associated with the Small Heath mosque and bookstore. The cleric was known for his outspoken criticism of Islamist terrorism and extremism, which sharply contrasted Savage’s radical views. Evidence presented included a reconnaissance video filmed by Savage three days prior to his arrest. In the video, he is seen surveying the mosque and bookstore, discussing potential points of entry, predicting police response routes, and planning escape strategies.
Further testimony revealed that Savage had engaged in downloading and viewing violent and extremist videos. He researched methods of killing with a knife, constructing parts of a gun and ammunition, and conducted reconnaissance of military buildings and police stations as possible targets.
In the days leading up to his arrest, Savage altered his WhatsApp profile to display the name “Lone Wolf,” signaling his intention to carry out the attack independently. On the day of his arrest, March 14, 2024, Savage sent a voice message to a friend expressing his belief that the planned attack would result in his own death, stating he would “see him in paradise.”
Unbeknownst to Savage, the “friend” he communicated with was an undercover officer from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands. Concerned by Savage’s messages, officers acted swiftly and arrested him hours later in a Birmingham street.
On March 21, Savage was formally charged under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 for engaging in conduct preparatory to acts of terrorism. During the investigation, police recovered a knife from his residence that had been modified by removing the handle and wrapping it with cloth.
Detective Chief Superintendent Alison Hurst, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, commented on the case: “Many arrests that are carried out for terrorism suspects are pre-planned; however, the arrest of Savage was conducted in a street during an evening as we had become increasingly concerned about his behavior. Thanks to these quick actions to protect the public, there is no doubt that we stopped a dangerous individual from carrying out an attack that would have caused injuries and potentially fatalities.”
Savage is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4. Authorities emphasize the importance of public vigilance, noting that thousands of reports each year assist in thwarting terrorist threats. They urge individuals to trust their instincts and report suspicious activities confidentially at gov.uk/ACT. In emergencies, they remind the public to always dial 999.
