Terror Threat Level 'Not Going To Change' For Years

A senior UK counter-terrorism officer has warned that the terror threat level will remain at ‘severe’ for at least the next five years, meaning an attack is highly likely.

Neil Basu, the senior national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism policing, described the risk posed by terrorists as "an unknown threat in our midst".

Police are dealing with nearly 600 active investigations after a "summer like no other" that saw four terror attacks in three months, he said.

Meanwhile, the number of new investigations launched since March has surged by 75% to 65, while police have foiled five attacks.

The threat level has been set at severe since October 2014, apart from a short period when it was raised to 'critical' after the Manchester Arena attack.

Mr Basu said:

"I don't think it's going to change - certainly not before I retire [2022].”

Addressing the Police Superintendents' Association annual conference in Stratford-upon-Avon, Scotland Yard's Deputy Assistant Commissioner said the authorities couldn't "arrest their way" out of the terrorism because there'd be a "revolving door" of suspects.

He called for more resources to be devoted to the ‘Prevent' strand of the counter-terror strategy, which he described as its "most important pillar" – despite calls from critics for it to be replaced.

Mr Basu said disenfranchised groups were being radicalised by propaganda delivered in "six-second soundbites through their handheld devices 24/7".

"Segregated and isolated communities, unregulated and home schooling are a breeding ground for extremism and future terrorism.

"They have been the educated, they have been the illiterate and they have been the completely unknown.”