UK terror threat is at the highest level in 30 years and growing, MI5 chief warns

[Boiler 46,336]

The head of MI5 has said the terror threat to the UK is at its highest level in more than three decades and “growing”.

Andrew Parker, director-general of the agency responsible for national security, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that police and intelligence agencies had intervened to foil six terrorist plots in the past year alone.

“That is the highest number I can recall in my 32-year career, certainly the highest number since 9/11,” he said.

“It represents a threat which is continuing to grow, largely because of the situation in Syria and how that affects our security.” The scene on 7 July 2005 - the day terrorist attacks in London killed 52 people (Getty) Mr Parker was the head of MI5's international terrorism division during the 7/7 bombings in 2005

Mr Parker said the rise of secure phone apps and encrypted online communications was making it more difficult for extremists to be traced.

Police and intelligence agencies “can no longer obtain under proper legal warrant the communication of people they believe to be terrorists", he argued.

Ministers are preparing new legislation on electronic surveillance but when asked what he would like to change, Mr Parker said the scope of his agents’ powers were “for Parliament to decide”.

The former head the Security Service’s international terrorism division insisted that MI5 was not interested in "browsing through the private lives" of the general public and works within a "transparent" legal framework.

"They are using secure apps and internet communication to try to broadcast their message and incite and direct terrorism amongst people who live here, who are prepared to listen to their message," he said.

"It's in nobody's interests that terrorists should be able to plot and communicate out of the reach of authorities.”

His comments followed drone strikes that killed three British extremists fighting with Isis in Syria. Reyaad Khan Reyaad Khan and his fellow Isis extremists were reportedly using an encrypted messaging service in efforts to evade detection

Unconfirmed reports claimed that spies at GCHQ had hacked an encrypted messaging service used by Reyaad Khan and Junaid Hussain to track their movements in the weeks before they were targeted in August.

Mr Parker’s appearance was the first ever live interview by a serving head of Britain’s security services.

He used it to rebuff claims that large numbers of extremists, possibly from the so-called Islamic State, are using the refugee crisis to enter Europe.

“As far as the flow of migrants and refugees go, of course it is something we are aware of,” he saiid.

“It is not actually as we speak today the main focus of where the threat is coming from.”

[decocker 7,198]

Andrew Parker, director-general of the agency responsible for national security, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that police and intelligence agencies had intervened to foil six terrorist plots in the past year alone.

“That is the highest number I can recall in my 32-year career, certainly the highest number since 9/11,” he said.

honest question, these six plots national security foiled..is it like in america where the we encourage and supply marginalized-possible-terror suspects and turn them into the real thing or were these honestly organic plots? or do they give that sort of detail?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

honest question, these six plots national security foiled..is it like in america where the we encourage and supply marginalized-possible-terror suspects and turn them into the real thing or were these honestly organic plots? or do they give that sort of detail?

No, they don't.

However this could include the drone strike that killed a London man in syria who allegedly planned to kill the queen. He may have been part of IS but did he actually have a practical plan to do this? Doubtful.

[Boiler 46,336]

honest question, these six plots national security foiled..is it like in america where the we encourage and supply marginalized-possible-terror suspects and turn them into the real thing or were these honestly organic plots? or do they give that sort of detail?

We have plenty of the real deal.

[Boiler 46,336]

However this could include the drone strike that killed a London man in syria who allegedly planned to kill the queen.

Hence the term Londonistan?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Hence the term Londonistan?

If you like scaremongering, sure.

Those of us who live and work there aren't worried about it.

[decocker 7,198]

well then, i guess it must be nice to have a terror threat level that isn't necessarily manipulated by your government. gives it a bit more validity.

[TBoneTX 46,354]

Two dozen posts have been removed because of baiting, bickering, off-topic nature, or quoting removed content. Administrative action has been taken against two participants for the baiting and bickering. Thanks in advance for sticking to the thread's topic from this point forward.

TBoneTX

VJ Moderation