Security chiefs warn of lockdown terror plots
Fears over ‘bedroom radicals’ converted to extremism during months under virus curbs
BRITAIN’S intelligence agencies have warned of a potential new wave of terrorist attacks carried out by “bedroom radicals” bred during lockdown.
Officials believe the country is facing a threat from “lone wolf ” terrorists who were radicalised online while spending months at home, The Daily Telegraph understands.
It comes as investigators seek to establish whether the 25-year-old suspect in the killing of Sir David Amess MP had been radicalised during the pandemic.
One security source said: “Counterterror police and MI5 have been concerned for some time that once we emerged out of lockdown there would be more people out on the streets and more targets for the terrorists.
“Combined with the fact that lots of young people have been spending so much time online, it makes for a very worrying mix and there is a real concern about the possible rise of the bedroom radicals.”
Last night police were continuing to question 25-year-old Ali Harbi Ali, a British national of Somali heritage, on suspicion of murdering Tory MP Sir David in Friday’s knife attack.
Over the weekend it emerged that he had previously been referred to the Government’s counter-extremism programme, Prevent, but was not on MI5’S terror watch list. It has raised fresh questions over the effectiveness of Prevent, which is currently the subject of an ongoing review.
Investigators now believe the suspect may have considered killing other MPS, The Telegraph understands. Police believe Sir David was not specifically targeted by his alleged terrorist killer but is believed to have been picked at random as part of a plot to murder any MP. Counter-terrorism police had initially thought the Conservative politician had been selected because of his values, views or religion. But it is now feared he was stabbed to death simply because he happened to respond to his alleged killer’s request for a face-to-face appointment as part of an indiscriminate attack on democracy. It is understood the suspect had booked an appointment to see the MP at his regular Friday surgery a week before the attack.
The development came as Sir David’s devastated family issued a statement in which they said they were “absolutely broken” by his murder. They called for unity rather than division in the wake of his “cruel and violent” death.
The statement read: “We ask people to set aside their differences and show kindness and love to all. This is the only way forward. Set aside hatred and work towards togetherness. Whatever one’s race, religious or political beliefs, be tolerant and try to understand.”
It was reported last night it was believed Ali was “radicalised” after watching extremist videos on Youtube and became “obsessed” with the hate preacher Anjem Choudary, sources told The Sun.
The Telegraph has learnt that Ali was seen using his phone after the attack.
Police are said to be investigating whether he made a recording in order to take credit for the attack or was sending a message or posted material online after the fatal stabbing.
This alleged activity, which was seen by witnesses, is understood to be at the centre of why the police labelled the attack a “terrorist incident”.
Investigators were over the weekend
attempting to work out who the suspect had been in contact in the run-up to Friday to better understand his alleged motives.
Meanwhile three properties in London, connected to the man in custody, were being searched, including his former family home in Croydon where his mother and siblings still live, and a property in Bounds Green, where his father currently resides.
Detectives were also at a flat in Kentish Town in north London, where Ali had been living most recently.
Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, yesterday spoke about concerns that Covid lockdowns may have fuelled radicalisation and the threat of lone wolf attacks.
Asked about the issue on BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, Ms Patel said: “It’s a really important point actually, it really is. Coronavirus, pandemic, people being locked down at home, online, et cetera.
“But what I would say, to put this into perspective, we have the best security and intelligence agencies in the world.
“Now I know, I can’t sit and share with you, I know how they worked throughout the pandemic. I know the work that they do in terms of watching individuals – subjects of interest, tracking behaviours, monitoring anybody of interest.”
Security chiefs are understood to be concerned after months of lockdown left millions of younger people marooned at home, with many forced to spend hours online, often unsupervised.
With schools, sports clubs and youth facilities also closed, there was little opportunity for the usual support networks to spot worrying signs of radicalisation and alert the authorities. It is feared extremists around the world will now seek to activate their online recruits and encourage them to carry out terror strikes across the UK.
The review of the Prevent program has been running all year and is expected to be nearing its conclusion, though a publication date for conclusions is yet to be named.
Robert Buckland, the former justice secretary, used his first broadcast interview since being sacked from the role in the reshuffle last month to call for a more “joined up” approach to Prevent.
Mr Buckland told Times Radio: “I very much hope that when it comes to community supervision and community involvement with people like this particular individual, that it is much more joined-up between health services, education, whatever it might be, who have had some involvement with that individual in the past.”