A man from Birmingham has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years for planning a terrorist attack on a mosque and bookshop in the city, according to an update from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands on 11 April 2025.
Jason Savage, 35, of Fourth Avenue, Small Heath, was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court for engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism, under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. He was arrested on 14 March 2024, and formally charged on 21 March.
Authorities revealed that Savage had planned the attack over a two-year period, beginning in March 2022. According to prosecutors, Savage—who had converted to Islam in the 2010s—followed a violent extremist interpretation of the Salafi movement and had targeted a cleric who was a public opponent of Islamist extremism.
Evidence presented to the court included:
- A reconnaissance video filmed three days before his arrest showing Savage scouting the mosque and bookshop in Small Heath, discussing escape routes and likely police response.
- Online activity involving research on knife attacks, weapon construction, and violent extremist material.
- Surveillance of military buildings and police stations as alternative potential targets.
- A modified knife recovered from his home, with the handle removed and replaced by cloth wrapping.
The court also heard that Savage’s WhatsApp status had been changed to “Lone Wolf”, indicating he intended to act independently.
On the day of his arrest, he sent a voice note to a contact saying “see you in paradise,” suggesting he did not expect to survive the attack. However, the person he messaged was in fact an undercover police officer, prompting immediate action from counter-terrorism officers who arrested him hours later in a public street.
Detective Chief Superintendent Alison Hurst, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, said:
“Many arrests that are carried out for terrorism suspects are pre-planned. However, the arrest of Savage was one conducted in a street during an evening as we had become increasingly concerned around his behaviour.”
She added, “Thanks to these quick actions to protect the public, there is no doubt that we stopped a dangerous individual carrying out an attack that would have caused injuries and potentially also fatalities.”
