Terrorism ‘changed’ since 7/7 bombings

The rise of Islamic State (IS) and extremists’ capacity to “reach” into homes means Britain faces a “very different” threat today than it did at the time of the July 7, 2005, London bombings, the country’s most senior counter-terrorism officer has said.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley has appealed to communities to “step forward” in the fight against radicalisation, and said their help was now more crucial in preventing attacks.

Speaking ahead of today’s 10th anniversary of the attacks on London’s transport system, in which four suicide bombers killed 52 commuters, Rowley said officers now faced a “completely different profile”, as IS exploits modern technology to create a “violent cult”.