Security Minister's concern over imminent release of convicted terrorists

Dozens of terrorists are set to be released from prison after completing their sentences within the next few months, with the Government admitting it is a "concern".

Security Minister Ben Wallace said resources would be put into monitoring convicted terrorists after their release if they are still deemed to pose a risk.

Efforts would also be made to help them "disengage" from extremism, he said.

The Guardian reported that more than 80 of the 193 terms issued between 2007 and 2016 will run out by the end of this year.

But the number of individuals released could be much higher as prisoners are eligible for release halfway through their sentence.

Mr Wallace told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It is a concern because what we are seeing nowadays is a large group of people who have effectively crossed the Rubicon to becoming radicalised, that is the mindset that they have now accepted or adapted."

The response would be to put resources into efforts to "to try and make them disengage - that is slightly different from 'deter them in the first place'" and also "into how we effectively supervise them if they are released back into the community".

"That's why we are piloting in the Contest (counter-terror strategy) the multi-agency approach for some of these individuals that will see us bring to bear the broader public sector and agencies and, indeed, even the private sector to try and focus on them."

The Security Minister's comments came as the Government set out changes to its counter-terrorism strategy which will allow MI5 intelligence on some individuals of concern to be shared more widely across government, local authorities and policing and also includes plans to work more closely with businesses.