Britain revises security policy to counter ‘step change’ in militant threat

london — Britain will counter what it calls a “step change” in the threat posed by militants with a revised counter-terrorism strategy published on Monday that looks to harness technology, share information more widely, and strengthen ties with businesses.

Recently-appointed interior minister Sajid Javid said the new strategy incorporated lessons from attacks in London and Manchester last year which killed 36 people, and would help Britain tackle an evolving threat.

The interior ministry warned on Sunday that the threat posed by militants to Britain is expected to remain high for the next two years and could even rise.

“The threat from terrorism is one of the starkest we face and it is clear there has been a step change,” Javid said at the launch of the revised strategy.

He said the time between being radicalised and planning an attack was shorter than in the past, that radicalisation was happening more frequently online, and that everyday items were being used to carry out plots.

The launch gave Javid, who was appointed in April after the resignation of a close ally of Prime Minister Theresa May, a chance to stamp his own authority on Britain’s security agenda. Some see Javid as a potential challenger to May.

The current threat level to Britain is assessed as severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. The government said it had foiled 25 militant plots since June 2013 — 12 of those since March 2017 — and was currently handling more than 500 live operations.

Javid said Muslims were not responsible “for the acts of a tiny minority who twist their faith” and that there was a unique role for them to play in the fight against extremists. —

The threat from terrorism is one of the starkest we face and it is clear there has been a step change Sajid Javid, interior minister