The head of MI5 has issued a warning about Russia’s efforts to create chaos on UK streets. In a comprehensive speech, director general Ken McCallum highlighted the increasing threats from “Putin’s henchmen” and a series of plots orchestrated by Iran. Additionally, he expressed concern over the growing number of children being investigated for terrorism in the UK.
Mr McCallum noted the resurgence of Islamic terrorism, citing a worsening threat from Al Qaeda and Islamic State. He explained that these groups, after a period of inactivity, have resumed their efforts to export terrorism. Over the past month, more than a third of MI5’s priority investigations have involved links to overseas terrorist organisations.
Since March 2017, MI5 and police have disrupted 43 advanced terrorist plots. These plans included mass murder through the use of firearms and explosives. The division of MI5’s counter-terrorism efforts stands at approximately 75% Islamist and 25% extreme right-wing threats. Mr McCallum described a wide array of ideologies, as individuals consume online hatred, conspiracy theories, and disinformation.
Russia’s intelligence agency has been on a mission to generate “sustained mayhem on British & European streets”, the head of MI5 has said. In a rare public speech, Ken McCallum warned that the UK was facing the most “complex and interconnected” threat it has ever seen.… pic.twitter.com/HQhjDs2IlD
— Glasnost Gone (@GlasnostGone) October 8, 2024
In his first speech in two years, Mr McCallum painted a picture of a multifaceted threat landscape for the UK. This includes resurgent terrorist organisations like Al Qaeda and IS, as well as state-sponsored terrorism from countries such as Iran and Russia. He revealed that state threat work has increased by 48% over the past year. Since January 2022, MI5 and police have responded to 20 potentially lethal plots backed by Iran.
Mr McCallum warned of the unprecedented scale of the threat from Iran, which, along with Russia, uses proxies such as organised criminals to carry out their activities. Over 750 Russian diplomats, many of them spies, have been expelled from Europe since the invasion of Ukraine. Despite this setback, Russian intelligence services continue their mission to create chaos in the UK and Europe through arson, sabotage, and more.
Criminals considering working for hostile states were warned that they would face the full force of the national security apparatus. Mr McCallum shared that MI5’s work now includes state-backed assassination and sabotage plots alongside traditional terrorist threats, compounded by a major European land war that strains resources.
Despite the current terror threat level being at “substantial,” two points below the highest, no major acts of terrorism have been detected. However, events in the Middle East have led to hate crimes. The far-right remains a significant threat, particularly in the radicalisation of young people, comprising 25% of MI5’s focus.
They are just LYING off the charts now to justify a coming war:
“Russia’s intelligence agency has been on a mission to generate “sustained mayhem on British and European streets”, the head of MI5 has said, as he warned the UK faces the most “complex and interconnected” threat… pic.twitter.com/ygW7Fw6I5S
— UNN (@UnityNewsNet) October 8, 2024
One in eight individuals under MI5 investigation is under 18, a statistic that Mr McCallum found surprising. He noted that most threats come from lone individuals indoctrinated online, making the task of identifying real plotters challenging. MI5’s protective security arm, the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), offers counter-sabotage support to businesses.
Overall, the statistic that 13% of those under investigation are children represents a three-fold increase in three years. Mr McCallum emphasised that many young people are being drawn into online extremism, particularly in the realm of right-wing terrorism, which demonstrates a keen understanding of online culture.
Mr McCallum concluded by addressing the impact of the Middle Eastern conflict on UK terrorism. While the police have managed public order and hate crime challenges, there has yet to be a significant rise in terrorist violence.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Telegraph reports that Russian spies are targeting Britain with Cold War-style sabotage, generating mayhem and recruiting criminals under GRU’s sustained mission.(read more)
- Kingdom FM reports on MI5 Director General Ken McCallum’s warning that Russia is causing “mayhem” on UK streets, highlighting increased threats from Iran and state-sponsored terrorism.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the main threat according to MI5’s head?
Russia is trying to create ‘mayhem’ on UK’s streets.
Has the threat from Islamic terrorism changed?
Yes, Al Qaeda and IS are resuming efforts to export terrorism.
How many terrorist plots have MI5 and police disrupted since 2017?
They have disrupted 43 ‘late-stage’ terrorist plots.
What percentage of MI5’s counter-terrorism work is extreme right-wing?
25% of MI5’s counter-terrorism work focuses on extreme right-wing threats.
What is the current terror threat level in the UK?
The current terror threat level remains at ‘substantial’.