Two more years of terror threats
Home Office say danger from extremists could get even worse
Britain faces a severe threat from Islamist terrorism for at least another two years – and the danger could rise, the Home Office have warned.
Security agencies are also combating a rising risk from extreme right-wing violence as the potential sources of attacks become more diverse.
The warning came as a senior counter-terror officer warned attack plots are being thwarted “all the time”.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon added: “I’d encourage all members of the public to remain vigilant.”
The UK Government will unveil a stronger counter-terrorism strategy tomorrow.
Powers were reviewed after f ive attacks last year and Home Secretary Sajid Javid will announce a range of steps aimed at stopping atrocities.
The Home Office said: “In summary, we expect the threat from Islamist terrorism to remain at its current, heightened level for at least the next two years and that it may increase further. We assess the threat from extreme right-wing terrorism is growing.
“Global ly, terrorist groups and networks of all ideologies continue to develop organically, exploiting social media, technology and science to further their aims and ambitions.”
Security agencies and counter-terror policing have foiled 12 Islamist and four extreme right-wing plots since March last year.
MI5 and police are running more than 500 live operations involving roughly 3000 “subjects of interest” at any one time. There are also more than 20,000 people who have previously been investigated and who could again pose a threat. Security chiefs are concerned about the potential risk of individuals in this group being rapidly radicalised to the point of violence.
Manchester bomber Salman Abedi was categorised as a “closed subject of interest” at the time of his attack.
The new strategy is expected to set out plans for MI5 to share intelligence and work with partners such as local authorities on how best to manage the risk posed by closed subjects of interest. An official review into four of the five attacks in 2017 by former terror laws watchdog David Anderson QC said: “This should enable, for example, neighbourhood policing and other agencies to make judgments with a better knowledge of the national security risk, and to implement appropriate local action.” Javid will today attend a service on the anniversary of the London Bridge and Borough Market attacks that killed eight people and injured 50. He said: “The Government are commi t t ed to doing everything possible to tackle the terrorist threat. It is my f irst priority every day.”