Freed sword attacker a 'low risk'

Freed Samurai sword attacker Eden Strang is a "low-risk" to the public as long as he takes his medication, a panel of police and medical experts have decided.

Schizophrenic Strang, 29, stripped naked then ran amok attacking elderly victims with a 3ft Samurai sword at a church in Thornton Heath, south London.

He was described as "mad as can be" at his Old Bailey trial in November 1999 and locked up "indefinitely" under the Mental Health Act.

A jury found him not guilty through insanity of seven counts of attempted murder.

After 22 months in a secure mental health unit, Strang was released to a hostel in south London.

A public protection panel, meeting this morning, deemed Strang to be a low risk to the public and himself after he responded positively to medication.

Strang's release in March sparked outrage among his victims, who were comforted by family liaison police officers.

A public protection panel made up of doctors and police experts, and headed by Commander Andy Baker, head of the Metropolitan police serious crime group, met today to discuss the case.

A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan police said: "A multi agency panel had a meeting and from that meeting the group is satisfied that Eden Strang has, and is, responding positively to medication and whilst he continues to comply with his medication he currently represents a low risk to the public and his own safety."

Strang injured an elderly nun and 10 worshippers during the attack on St Andrew's Catholic Church in Thornton Heath, in November 1999.