Covid lockdowns may have created heightened risk of ‘lone wolf’ terror attacks, security minister admits

LOCKDOWNS may have created a heightened risk of “lone wolf” terror attacks in Britain, the security minister said today. Damian Hinds acknowledged that Covid restrictions had likely “exacerbated” the amount of online “self-radicalisation”. And he revealed spooks have foiled more than 30 “late stage” plots in the last few years alone. He made the remarks […]

LOCKDOWNS may have created a heightened risk of “lone wolf” terror attacks in Britain, the security minister said today.

Damian Hinds acknowledged that Covid restrictions had likely “exacerbated” the amount of online “self-radicalisation”.

And he revealed spooks have foiled more than 30 “late stage” plots in the last few years alone.

He made the remarks after more details emerged abut Poppy Day bomber Emad Jamil Al-Swealmeen.

The minister said Britain has seen a shift away from “directed attacks” organised by large terrorist organisations.

Instead the threat increasingly comes from individuals who become radicalised on the Internet.

Mr Hinds said such people rarely work completely alone and reach out to others online for “advice” and “hints”.

He said: “Self radicalisation on the Internet, the propaganda, the way that people make contact with one another, that is not a new development.

“But like a number of things the changes that we saw through the Coronavirus period, through lockdown, have changed the modus operandi.

“In this case they would have exacerbated, increased the amount of time that people are spending online.”

He added: “Of course during the lockdown periods there have been more people spending more time in front of computer screens.

“And we know when that happens for a very, very small minority of people there can be radicalisation with very, very bad consequences.”

Mr Hinds admitted minsters were “concerned” by the development and urged the public to be “alert but not alarmed”.

He acknowledged that Sunday’s attack would be “hugely upsetting and unsettling” for locals in Liverpool.

But he reassured people that the security services are “working night and day” to foil more terror plots.

Read our Liverpool explosion live blog for the latest updates

He said: “Although an instance such as this one is appalling, absolutely awful, there are also multiple times when we are protected from this.”

The minister also defended the now reversed decision taken in February to reduce the terror threat level from Severe to Substantial.

He said: “Whether we talk about substantial or severe, the threat level has been high for a long time now.

“As long as that is the case, there is of course the risk that a terrible event and atrocities such as this can happen.

“It’s necessary to be alert throughout. I think it’s right that the level has now been raised and these things are kept under constant review.”

Asylum bids

Last night it emerged that Al-Swealmeen struck in Liverpool after his asylum bids were repeatedly turned down.

The Jordanian, 32, also had mental health problems and was once arrested with a knife.

The bomber, who had no known connections with any terrorist groups, blew himself to bits with a home-made ball-bearing device.

He had taken a taxi from his home to the local Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

CCTV footage captured the moment the device was detonated seconds after cabbie David Perry pulled up in front of the main entrance at 10.59 am.

Because of Al-Swealmeen’s severe injuries, it took police several hours to establish a potential identity – and he has yet to be formally identified.

It remained unclear when exactly the bomber entered the UK but it was understood he had been in a long-term dispute with the Home Office over his application for UK residential status.

And he had not been granted leave to remain here permanently.

A source said: “One of the issues being looked at is whether this unresolved grievance pushed him over the edge and prompted him to carry out the attack.”

Following his arrival in the UK, Al-Swealmeen lived mostly in Liverpool, where he was supported by Christian ­volunteers from a network of churches helping asylum seekers.