Counter-terrorism inquiries into Islamist-related extremism are 'stretching police'

There have been 218 terrorism-related arrests this year with 16 people charged with alleged extremist activity.

13:06 17 October 2014

Scotland Yard has said that police are being “stretched” by an “exceptionally” high number of counter-terrorism inquiries into Islamist-related inquiries. Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said that a growing number of UK families had sought police help to stop relatives who wanted to travel to Syria.

This year alone, there have been 218 terrorism-related arrests in England, Scotland, and Wales, with 16 people charged with alleged extremist activity in Syria.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said: "We had a case in the last few days where a young person was travelling out to Syria.

"The family realised very quickly, reported it to us so quickly we were able to get them intercepted when they got into Turkey and the Turks turned them back to the UK."

He said police were also focused on finding the "recruiting sergeants, funders and advocates" within the UK, as well as battling the influence of extremist videos online.

He added that this problem could persist for several years.

"This is a terrorist threat that may have its seat somewhere that seems a long way away but it is influencing people on the streets of London and is trying to import terrorism onto the streets of London and the UK," he added.

"I think we are seeing a step change that is going to run for years.

"None of us have a crystal ball but looking at the situation we are seeing in Iraq and Syria, despite the best efforts of governments across the world, this looks like a step change that we are going to be wrestling with for some time to come."