Security is being stepped up in city centres amid fears of a lone-wolf terror attack this Christmas.
Counter terrorism police say the resurgence of ISIS under its new leader Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al Qurashi could lead to a new atrocity as he tries to “make his mark”.
And police want the public to be vigilant.
Acting Senior National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare for Counter Terrorism Policing Helen Millichap said: “It is vital that the public continue to work with us to keep their communities safe.
“The public know their local area, their neighbourhoods better than anyone, and are best placed to know if something doesn’t feel right.
“Every year we receive around 10,000 reports and a fifth of those provide intelligence that is useful to us.”
“We work around the clock to detect potential terrorist activity, and since 2017 we have disrupted 37 late-stage plots.”
More police officers will be on the streets and extra anti- ramming bollards have been built in cities such as York and Newcastle.
Ex-Army intelligence operator Mike Tapp said: “There’s an increased threat when there’s a western religious event.”
A security source said: “It is likely the new IS leader will want to make his mark. Britain is definitely a target.”
