Dramatic video shows moment anti-terror police swoop on extremist Essex teen in Morrisons car park
Dramatic video has been released of the moment a young Neo-Nazi teenager was ambushed by police as he walked across a supermarket car park.
Alfie Coleman, 21, from Great Notley in Essex, was convicted of preparing for terrorist acts after an Old Bailey retrial.
He was just 19 when he was arrested by counter-terrorism police in a Morrisons car park in Stratford, London, on September 29 2023.
That day Coleman had arranged with an undercover officer to buy a Makarov pistol, five magazines and 200 rounds of ammunition.
CCTV captured Coleman strolling through the car park before approaching a parked Land Rover Discovery. He opens the front passenger door, before leaving £3,500 in the car.
He can then be seen walking to the car's boot and picking up a holdall containing a deactivated firearm and ammunition.
But before he had gone 30 yards, he was confronted by plain-clothed armed police and forced to the ground.
In a trial which lasted several weeks, the Old Bailey heard that Coleman had “idolised” the likes of Thomas Mair, who murdered MP Jo Cox, and believed in white supremacy and neo-Nazism.
Coleman was also questioned about notes he wrote in April 2023, outlining a plan to hijack a private plane.
The court heard the document included instructions to “save up money” and “watch videos on how to fly planes”, before “once lift-off, hijack plane, kill pilots, and take control”.
It also referred to using a hidden cord to kill the pilot and suggested leaving a plan to help his parents escape, adding they should be “protected from Muslims”.
Coleman however told jurors the document did not reflect a real intent from him.
“It’s me having an intrusive thought and writing it down,” he told the court. “It was not realistic.”
He described himself at the time as vulnerable and isolated, and denied ever intending to carry out an attack.
He was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the Old Bailey on 8 July.
Hear from Det Chief Supt Helen Flanagan, head of operations for the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.
Speaking after the case Det Chief Supt Helen Flanagan warned that Coleman was an "acute" example of a growing trend of children becoming radicalised online and drawn into terrorism.
"Sadly in this case, it's ultimately led to him developing a plan and desire to go out and kill innocent people," she said.
"Whilst this is rare and shocking, unfortunately we're starting to see this more and more in our casework, so this is not unique."
She added that it was "vital" parents took an interest in what their children were doing online and if necessary initiated "difficult conversations".
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