Immediate threat ‘Large number’ of plots foiled, says Met

Police have foiled at least one terror plot that was “minutes away” from being carried out, the head of Scotland Yard has disclosed. Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, told LBC a “very large number of plots” had been foiled during the past few years.

Asked how far-progressed the recently thwarted attacks were, she suggested some were within minutes of being executed by terrorists: “Some of them were very close to an attack – very close.” When asked if they were “within minutes” of being carried out, Ms Dick replied: “Yes.”

Scotland Yard refused to comment further on which plots she was referring to.

Recent operations to stop alleged plots include the arrest of a man in Birmingham who has since been charged with planning to carry out a knife attack.