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Eight major terror plots foiled across the UK in past year

London’s top cop says UK police have foiled eight major terror plots in the space of a year as the threat of "lone wolf" attacks continues to rise.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said London’s terror threat remained “severe” on the back of recent attacks across Europe.

“There are indicators that people are moving from ‘it’s a nice idea’, to ‘I’m going to do it’. And what we have to make sure is that our coverage of those people is as good as it could be to spot that moment,” he said.

Security was stepped up at a number of London sites, including 10 Downing St. Source: AAP
Security was stepped up at a number of London sites, including 10 Downing St. Source: AAP

“You could have evil thoughts and that’s not a criminal offence. It’s when they move to action that’s when we have to take our own action.”

Sir Bernard’s comments come as UK police hunt two attackers who tried to abduct a Royal Airforce serviceman and drag him into a waiting car in Norfolk this week.

The Houses of Parliament illuminated in the French colours in tribute to the attacks in Nice. Source: AAP
The Houses of Parliament illuminated in the French colours in tribute to the attacks in Nice. Source: AAP

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The attack echoes the horrific killing of Lee Rigby, which shocked the world three years ago.

While the serviceman was able to fight off his attackers, UK police remain on high alert. At a time when Europe is reeling over a wave of terror attacks in France in Germany, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said police were relying on intelligence more than ever.

London honours those involved in the Belgium attack. Source: AAP
London honours those involved in the Belgium attack. Source: AAP

“What we now see with this kind of attack is that the people who carry them out are not deterred by the chance of detection. So if they’re going to die in the process of killing other people they cannot be deterred by going through a court process,” he said.

“If you have a suicide attacker… we have to act far more quickly.”

The London Eye was also illuminated for the attack in Nice. Source: AAP
The London Eye was also illuminated for the attack in Nice. Source: AAP

While listing London as one of the “safest cities in the world”, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe did confirm the majority of the eight major plans for terror attacks across the UK had focused in London.

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