EU police chief: UK faces higher terror threat after leaving

THE UK could be more vulnerable to terrorism and organised crime after Brexit, the EU’s policing agency chief has claimed.

Rob Wainwright, the British director of Europol, said the growing threat from extremists cannot be tackled by national police forces alone.

The former MI5 intelligence analyst said it was vital for Theresa May to find a way of continuing co-operation on security.

But critics accused him of ‘still fighting Project Fear’ – a reference to the scaremongering tactics deployed by the Remain camp ahead of last year’s referendum.

Many security experts have warned that EU membership actually makes Britain less safe, as terrorists can travel across much of the continent unhindered by borders.

But Mr Wainwright urged ministers to push for a strong future relationship with Europol in upcoming Brexit talks.

By quitting the EU, the UK will no longer automatically be a member – although the US retains a strong presence at the agency despite not being in Europe.

Mr Wainwright told Sky News: ‘Threats of terrorism and organised crime have

‘They need us more than we need them’

become more global and the need for greater international police co-operation is absolutely essential to keep us safe.’

But one Government source said: ‘He is still fighting Project Fear. Here is another doom-laden prediction of how Britain will be at risk after we leave the EU, while acknowledging that the EU is desperate not to lose our intelligence capabilities.’

Lord Carlile, a former reviewer of terrorism laws, said it was ‘inconceivable’ that the UK would not agree a Brexit deal securing co-operation on security.

He added: ‘The British police and ... intelligence services provide a disproportionately high amount of the information which helps European intelligence agencies and police to prevent and detect terrorism. They need us more than we need them.’

Last year Sir Richard Dearlove, ex-head of MI6, suggested Britain would be safer outside the EU as it would be easier to control our borders and deport terrorists.

A Government spokesman said continuing to work with the EU on security and counter-terrorism was a top priority.

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