UK under serious threat of Islamist terror attack, more terror-related arrests in last two months than in entire 2022

Britain is experiencing an unprecedented spike in counter-terrorism arrests, driven by a concerning rise in support for extremist ideologies linked to the conflict in Gaza. According to Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes, leader of national counter-terrorism policing, the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 have significantly increased the risk of a potential attack on London. In the last two months alone, terrorism arrests have surpassed the total for the entire previous year, creating an environment where people are increasingly inclined to support extremist ideologies. Public calls to the anti-terrorism hotline have doubled, referrals about online extremism have risen twelvefold, and there’s a 25% uptick in counter-terror intelligence. According to the commissioner, counter-terrorism policing resources are under immense pressure, facing the most significant convergence of threats since the 2012 London Olympics. Across England and Wales, anti-Semitic crimes have surged by 680%, Islamophobic crimes by 140%, and there are 500 investigations for alleged breaches of terrorism legislation. The Metropolitan Police has dedicated 28,000 officer shifts to manage protests since October, costing £17 million in London alone. Nationally, officers have dealt with 900 protests in the last two months. Assistant Commissioner Jukes expressed concerns about the polarisation fueled by online communications and ongoing intimidation of British MPs, with incidents of “antidemocratic” protests at their homes. Crimes targeting MPs have doubled since September. The immediacy of the counter-terrorism risk is emphasised, with arrests related to supporting or glorifying terrorism reaching unprecedented numbers. Jukes warns of a dual-speed threat, where individuals are rapidly energised by hateful material, akin to recent events in Paris. Graphic images from the conflict are feared to be recruitment tools for terror groups targeting impressionable British teenagers. The Counter-Terrorism Internet Referral Unit has received a record 2,100 reports since the Hamas attack on October 7. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist highlights London’s exposure to a broad array of threats, influenced by major global events. He expresses worry about social media’s role in fueling division and polarisation. Former Home Office extremism tsar Dame Sara Khan criticises existing laws, stating that supporters of Hamas can glorify terrorism without legal consequences unless explicitly encouraging a terrorist act. She advocates for new laws to address hateful extremism. Independent adviser Lord Walney suggests exploring existing legislation to curtail ongoing pro-Palestinian protests. The overall sentiment among officials is one of urgency, recognising the need for comprehensive measures to address the multifaceted challenges posed by the current environment.