Britain Monitoring 30 Terror Plots, 22,000 Individuals, 200 Networks
April 13, 2008 by national
Filed under Homeland Security News
British police and security agencies are keeping tabs on 30 terror plots, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told a Sunday newspaper.
“There are 22,000 individuals who are being monitored. There are 200 networks involved and 30 active plots,” Smith said in an interview with the News of the World.
“We now face a threat level that is severe. It’s actually growing,” said the interior minister.
Smith said the level of threat showed why the British government is seeking legislation to extend the detention of terror suspects to 42 days from the current 28-day limit.
The measure faces strong opposition in parliament from the opposition Conservatives and Liberal Democrats as well as rebel lawmakers from the ruling Labour party.
“We task the police and the security agencies with protecting us. Frankly, if they say to me it’s getting more difficult and we need more time to investigate thoroughly, it is my duty to provide them with the tools they need,” Smith said.
“We can’t wait for an attack to succeed and then rush in new powers. We have got to stay ahead.
“Because we now understand the scale of what is being plotted, the police have to step in earlier, which means they need more time to put evidence together.”
If the police actually wanted extra time then I’d be fully up for it. They don’t – this is just political bull – they’d do better giving the security services more money.