UK

'Lone wolves' threat to UK security

A comprehensive report on terrorist threats to the UK is warning of a growing risk from lone operators, including Britons who have gained experience fighting overseas.

The Royal United Services Institute predicts there are 50 such individuals currently with extremists in Somalia who could eventually use their experience at home.

While the death of Osama bin Laden began a succession of counter-terrorism victories last year, leading to a reduction in the threat level from severe to substantial, the threat from Jihadist terrorism has not diminished, the report warns.

Despite recent arrests and failed plots, the authorities must contend with "lone wolves" and "self-radicalised" jihadi terrorists who are hard to track and pose a greater security risk, it was noted.

RUSI analyst Valentina Soria said: "There is very little which could justify complacency in the way we perceive the future threat from Jihadist terrorism to the UK.

"Although actual capabilities may have deteriorated, the intention to conduct large-scale attacks on British soil remains."

A Home Office spokesman said: "National security is the first duty of any government. The UK's counter-terrorism strategy (Contest) sets out our long-term plans to deal with the threat from terrorism. It covers the build-up to the Olympics and the following three years.

"Over that same period we are allocating £2 billion a year to the Security and Intelligence Agencies budget. The Contest strategy is designed to be flexible and we will continue to ensure that the UK's response reflects the nature of the terrorist threat we face."