Israel-Gaza war a ‘radicalisation moment’, warns Britain’s counter terror chief

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Britain’s counter terror chief has warned the war in Israel-Gaza was a “radicalisation moment” and the nation faces a “dangerous climate” amid unprecedented surges in terror referrals.

Matt Jukes, the top of Counter Terrorism Policing, has revealed his groups have seen a 13 per cent spike in referrals to Prevent applications and 15-fold enhance in experiences of extremist on-line content material since Hamas launched its assault on Israel on October 7.

The surge in exercise comes as the chance from state threats is on the “most acute” stage for the reason that Cold War, he mentioned, as he echoed David Cameron’s warning that Britain faces “very unstable, uncertain and dangerous times”.

Officers have obtained 3,000 referrals to the Counter Terror Internet Referral Unit of objectionable materials since October 7, some 700 of which have been recognized as having a UK hyperlink and probably breaching terror laws.

Initially this represented a 15-fold enhance on earlier reporting ranges, however later levelled off to a seven-fold rise.

“That is extraordinary and demonstrates the volume and intensity of online rhetoric around the ongoing conflict,” the counter terror chief mentioned.

“What we have seen since 7^th October is a spike which is higher and more sustained than ever before.”

Characterising the continuing war on the Middle East as a “radicalisation moment”, he mentioned the occasion had “the potential to push the susceptible towards terrorism”.

He added: “This is not simply rhetoric. We are seeing signs of that intense risk across a number of our areas of activity.”

Although the nation’s terror menace stage stays unchanged at ‘substantial’, Mr Jukes mentioned it can be crucial recognise that “radicalisation can have a long tail”.

Since the battle broke on the market have been 33 arrests for alleged terrorism offences, seven of which have been charged.

In the interval from October 7 to the New Year there was additionally a 13 per cent enhance referrals to Prevent applications, aimed toward stopping people being from being drawn into extremism, in comparison with the identical interval final yr. The rise is “directly related” to the battle, he mentioned.

He additionally urged the general public to belief their instincts and report any considerations.  In the 2 weeks following 7 October, calls to the terror hotline doubled, with the variety of useful calls up four-fold.

There was additionally a 25 per cent surge in intelligence flowing by police channels within the aftermath of the battle.

At the identical time counter terror police have seen four-fold enhance in case work referring to hostile state threats from international locations together with Iran, China and Russia – main Mr Jukes to agree with overseas secretary Lord Cameron’s current feedback at Davos that the UK is dealing with “very unstable, uncertain and dangerous times”.

A brand new investigative group has been launched devoted to state threats as we head into a yr which is able to see main elections in each the UK and the US.

Of round 20 arrests for alleged official secrets and techniques breaches up to now 5 years, greater than half passed off in 2023, he mentioned, including that they’re seeing a rising overlap between state threats and organised crime teams.

“Our sense is that the challenge is greater now than since the days of Cold War,” the chief mentioned.