Security Officials Plan to Combat Threat of the Lone Terrorist

The "lone terrorist" individual, self-radicalized and not connected to any group, forms a new potential threat, according to senior Whitehall security sources who are drawing up a new strategy to counter what they say is the continuing serious threat of attacks.

Officials are pursuing a twin-track approach: countering terrorists' bomb-making skills and internet activity, and addressing the grievances of young Muslims, including concerns about British foreign policy.

The terrorist threat level is officially set at "severe", meaning that an attack is highly likely. Officials describe the threat as "the severe end of severe". It comes from the "al-Qaida core" based on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border where, say these sources, "people are looking at the UK in particular".

The danger also comes from al-Qaida "affiliates" and potentially well-organized al-Qaida groups in north and east Africa that have links with western Europe.

Some groups in Britain sympathize with, or are inspired by, the extreme ideology and calls to jihad broadcast by prominent al-Qaida figures abroad, security officials say.

The measures of the Whitehall security officials relate to countering terrorist threats with new technologies, with the help of private industry, including identifying the presence of explosives from a distance and making fertilizers that will not combust. The plan covers disruption and countering of the use of the internet by al-Qaida and the setting up of more regional counter-terrorism centers. Four "counter-terrorist hubs" have been established in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and London. Another is being set up in southern England.

The strategy is also aimed at urging police, local authorities and communities to work together to identify and support those risking being drawn into violent extremism.

Officials say local councils could play an important role in developing strategies. There is particular concern over the security of the Olympics, with evidence, officials say, of an Islamist "east London footprint". The plan is also to encourage ministers and officials to talk to Muslim groups and discuss "grievance areas".

The last point covers such issues as stop and search, racism, and British foreign policy. Ministers have been persuaded that foreign policy and the country's close ties to the US are a real issue for many Muslims. "You can't just say, 'British foreign policy is no excuse for radicalization'," a Whitehall security source said.

Officials say the initiative is based on the government's existing strategy, represented by the "four Ps" - prevent, pursue, protect and prepare. They add that the emphasis of the new strategy is on "prevent".

The strategy aims to "present a more sophisticated picture" of the nature of the terrorist threat, they say.