Britain foiled four far-right terrorist plots last year as the threat from extremist right-wing groups became more active in the country, the UK's counter-terrorism chief has revealed.
Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley used his pre-retirement speech last evening to warn against the growing threat from such terror groups.
"The rightwing threat was not previously organised. Every now and then there's been an individual motivated by that rhetoric who has committed a terrorist act but we've not had an organised rightwing threat like we do now," he said.
Rowley, the UK's national lead on counter-terrorism policing who is set to retire in two weeks, was addressing the annual Colin Cramphorn memorial lecture in central London.
In his speech, he drew many comparisons between Islamist and far-right groups and figures, such as Islamic State (ISIS) and National Action.
"Ironically, while Islamist and extreme rightwing ideologies may appear to be at opposing ends of the argument it is evident that they both have a great deal in common... (which is) increasing tensions and divisions in communities," he said.
Rowley has been the seniormost officer in counter-terrorism in the UK since June 2014.
In the last year alone, he has overseen the response to five terrorist attacks in the UK, including an attack on Parliament; at London Bridge and Borough Market; Finsbury Park mosque; Parsons Green tube station in London; and at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena.
He also called for tougher action on individuals who radicalised children and removing children from the care of terrorists.
"I wonder if we need more parity between protecting children from paedophile and terrorist parents," he said.
"If you know parents are interested in sex with children, or if you know parents believe that people of their faith or their belief, should hate everybody else and grow up to kill people, for me those things are equally wicked environments to expose children to," he added.
Rowley also warned of the "alarming occurrence" of known extremists removing their children from school and teaching them at home.
The senior Metropolitan Police officer, who steps down at the end of a 31-year career in policing, is expected to be replaced by another senior officer from one of the UK's police forces around the country.
Indian-origin Neil Basu, currently Met Police deputy assistant commissioner and Senior National Coordinator for UK Counter Terrorism Policing, is tipped as a frontrunner to take over one of British policing's toughest jobs.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
