Fourth UK terror attack in six months sparks questions for government

All five alleged attackers were released or serving prisoners but the government is increasing jail sentences, Lizzie Dearden writes

Flowers are laid close to the scene where three people were stabbed in Forbury Gardens in Reading (EPA)

The Reading stabbing is the fourth alleged terror attack launched in the UK in the six months since officials lowered the national terror threat level – posing serious questions for the government’s response.

Each one has been carried out by released or serving prisoners, but ministers are presenting longer jail sentences as a solution.

The suspect for Saturday’s attack, 25-year-old Khairi Saadallah, may still have been under probation supervision for unrelated offences when he allegedly murdered three victims as they sat with friends in a park.