Extra spies to bolster security

Suspected British jihadists will be monitored more closely and convicted terrorists given longer prison sentences as part of a package of counter-terrorism measures to be unveiled this week.

Technology companies will also be called on to do more to tackle extremist content posted online, while new powers will be introduced to fast-track terror suspects to jail before they have finalised any plans for an attack.

Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, is expected to announce a fresh approach to targeting the growing threat of Right-wing extremism, illustrating how potential sources of terrorism have become increasingly diverse.

His speech follows a review of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, known as Contest, and coincides with the anniversary of the London Bridge and Borough Market attack. It comes as the family of James McMullan, the only British person killed in the attack, tell The Sunday Telegraph how they feel abandoned by the authorities and have been barred from fitting a bronze plaque at the spot where he was murdered.

A service of commemoration at Southwark cathedral was held to remember the victims of the terrorist attack.

The Home Office yesterday warned that Britain faces a severe threat from Islamist terrorism for at least another two years. MI5 and counter-terrorism police are currently running more than 500 live operations involving roughly 3000 ‘‘subjects of interest’’ at any one time.

However, more than 20,000 people who have previously been investigated and categorised as a ‘‘closed subject of interest’’ could still pose a threat. Salman Abedi was categorised as one such individual at the time of his attack at the Manchester Arena last year, which resulted in 22 people being killed and hundreds injured.

A report by David Anderson QC into four of the five attacks of 2017 concluded that the Manchester Arena attack ‘‘might have been averted’’ if two pieces of intelligence about Abedi had been interpreted differently by MI5.

The new security measures to be unveiled are expected to focus on the importance of trying to spot those like Abedi who may have become radicalised again. An extra 1000 security services staff will also be recruited to collect and analyse data as well as keep suspects under better surveillance. – The Sunday Telegraph