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IS group to step up attacks on Europe - Europol IS group to step up attacks on Europe - Europol
(about 1 hour later)
Europol has warned that militants from so-called Islamic State (IS) will aim to step up attacks on European targets, as they face defeat in the Middle East.Europol has warned that militants from so-called Islamic State (IS) will aim to step up attacks on European targets, as they face defeat in the Middle East.
The European police force says more foreign fighters will try to come back to Europe, and "several dozen" capable of attacks could already be there.The European police force says more foreign fighters will try to come back to Europe, and "several dozen" capable of attacks could already be there.
Their tactics could include car bombs, kidnappings and extortion, it said.Their tactics could include car bombs, kidnappings and extortion, it said.
But the report plays down the likelihood of attacks on critical infrastructure, such as nuclear sites.But the report plays down the likelihood of attacks on critical infrastructure, such as nuclear sites.
It says that IS militants now prefer soft targets. It says that IS militants now prefer soft targets, and there is now a greater emphasis on "lone actors" such as the perpetrator of the lorry attack in Nice in July.
It warns that some Syrian refugees in Europe may be vulnerable to recruitment by extremists who infiltrate refugee camps.It warns that some Syrian refugees in Europe may be vulnerable to recruitment by extremists who infiltrate refugee camps.
Europe has been shaken by a series of attacks in recent years blamed on IS militants.Europe has been shaken by a series of attacks in recent years blamed on IS militants.
How France is wrestling with jihadist terrorHow France is wrestling with jihadist terror
Europol terror data found onlineEuropol terror data found online
'Threat still high''Threat still high'
The report said the EU faced a range of threats and attacks from both organised networks and lone actors, either directed or inspired by IS and involving a range of weapons including bladed weapons and vehicles.The report said the EU faced a range of threats and attacks from both organised networks and lone actors, either directed or inspired by IS and involving a range of weapons including bladed weapons and vehicles.
Home-made, commercial and military explosives in improvised devices such as those used in Syria and Iraq had not yet been used in Europe but this was "conceivable... at some stage", it added.Home-made, commercial and military explosives in improvised devices such as those used in Syria and Iraq had not yet been used in Europe but this was "conceivable... at some stage", it added.
Major recent terror attacks in EuropeMajor recent terror attacks in Europe
January 2015 - Massacre at the Paris office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and siege at a Jewish supermarketJanuary 2015 - Massacre at the Paris office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and siege at a Jewish supermarket
November 2015 - Attacks on Bataclan concert hall and bars and restaurants in Paris. 130 killedNovember 2015 - Attacks on Bataclan concert hall and bars and restaurants in Paris. 130 killed
March 2016 - Suicide bombings in Brussels airport and metro leave 32 deadMarch 2016 - Suicide bombings in Brussels airport and metro leave 32 dead
14 July 2016 - More than 80 people killed after a lorry ploughed into a crowd in the southern French city of Nice during Bastille Day celebrations14 July 2016 - More than 80 people killed after a lorry ploughed into a crowd in the southern French city of Nice during Bastille Day celebrations
18-24 July 2016 - Series of violent attacks in various locations in southern Germany leave 10 dead18-24 July 2016 - Series of violent attacks in various locations in southern Germany leave 10 dead
26 July 2016 - Priest Fr Jacques Hamel killed in knife attack in French church26 July 2016 - Priest Fr Jacques Hamel killed in knife attack in French church
"The so-called Islamic State has proven to be very effective in inspiring people to commit terrorist acts and in setting attacks in motion themselves," the report said."The so-called Islamic State has proven to be very effective in inspiring people to commit terrorist acts and in setting attacks in motion themselves," the report said.
Europol Director Rob Wainwright said in a statement that the scale of the threat was now widely acknowledged and increased cooperation across Europe had meant more arrests and more plots foiled. Europol Director Rob Wainwright told the BBC that improved collaboration between European intelligence agencies had reduced the chances of large-scale attacks.
But he cautioned against complacency: "Today's report shows that the threat is still high and includes diverse components which can be only tackled by even better collaboration." But he cautioned against complacency regarding potential terrorists: "They're resorting to random attacks by lone actors," he said.
"The threat is diverse and challenging as we have to make sure our intelligence collection and exchange is up to the mark so we can identify who among them pose the greatest danger."
Other key points of the report:Other key points of the report: