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Terror threat to UK 'is growing' Terror threat to UK 'is growing'
(about 1 hour later)
The home secretary has described the terrorism threat facing the UK as "severe" and "growing".The home secretary has described the terrorism threat facing the UK as "severe" and "growing".
In an interview for the News of the World, Jacqui Smith said it was imperative for the police to be able to detain suspects for longer.In an interview for the News of the World, Jacqui Smith said it was imperative for the police to be able to detain suspects for longer.
Ms Smith is facing a Labour rebellion over plans to extend the time suspects can be held without charge to 42 days.Ms Smith is facing a Labour rebellion over plans to extend the time suspects can be held without charge to 42 days.
The Conservatives said the "right way" to deal with the problem was to use more resources "to track plots".The Conservatives said the "right way" to deal with the problem was to use more resources "to track plots".
'Growing threat''Growing threat'
In the News of the World interview, Ms Smith said security services were investigating up to 30 terror plots. In the News of the World interview, Ms Smith said security services were investigating 30 terror plots.
She said: "We now face a threat level that is severe. It's not getting any less, it's actually growing.She said: "We now face a threat level that is severe. It's not getting any less, it's actually growing.
We can't wait for an attack to succeed and then rush in new powers. We've got to stay ahead Jacqui SmithHome secretary "There are 2,000 individuals they are monitoring. There are 200 networks. There are 30 active plots.We can't wait for an attack to succeed and then rush in new powers. We've got to stay ahead Jacqui SmithHome secretary "There are 2,000 individuals they are monitoring. There are 200 networks. There are 30 active plots.
"That has increased over the past two years. Since the beginning of 2007, 57 people have been convicted on terrorist plots."That has increased over the past two years. Since the beginning of 2007, 57 people have been convicted on terrorist plots.
"Nearly half of those pleaded guilty so this is not some figment of the imagination. It is a real risk and a real issue we need to respond to."Nearly half of those pleaded guilty so this is not some figment of the imagination. It is a real risk and a real issue we need to respond to.
"We can't wait for an attack to succeed and then rush in new powers. We've got to stay ahead.""We can't wait for an attack to succeed and then rush in new powers. We've got to stay ahead."
Under the proposals the home secretary would be able to immediately extend the detention limit of a suspect to 42 days, so long as it was supported by a joint report by a chief constable and the director of public prosecutions.Under the proposals the home secretary would be able to immediately extend the detention limit of a suspect to 42 days, so long as it was supported by a joint report by a chief constable and the director of public prosecutions.
The extension would then have to be approved by the Commons and the Lords within 30 days. But if either House voted against it, the power would end at midnight on the day of the debate.The extension would then have to be approved by the Commons and the Lords within 30 days. But if either House voted against it, the power would end at midnight on the day of the debate.
The proposals are supported by some senior police officers - but could face a court challenge from the Equality and Human Rights Commission if passed.The proposals are supported by some senior police officers - but could face a court challenge from the Equality and Human Rights Commission if passed.
Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, the shadow security minister and chair of the joint intelligence committee, told the BBC she did not agree with the government's approach.Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, the shadow security minister and chair of the joint intelligence committee, told the BBC she did not agree with the government's approach.
"If there are an increase in plots it doesn't follow, I fear, that the right way to deal with that is actually then to hold suspects for an even longer time."If there are an increase in plots it doesn't follow, I fear, that the right way to deal with that is actually then to hold suspects for an even longer time.
"What you need if you've got an increase in plots is the right quantum of resources for both the police and the intelligence services to track and disrupt the plots - and that's a question of bringing resources to bear.""What you need if you've got an increase in plots is the right quantum of resources for both the police and the intelligence services to track and disrupt the plots - and that's a question of bringing resources to bear."