Machibet BetEx-terror boss reveals 40,000 potential terrorists could launch attack in UK at any time | The Sun - Mcb777 Bet

A FORMER counter-terrorism chief says there could be as many as 40,000 extremists ready to launch an attack against the UK at any time.

Sir Mark Rowley said around 3,000 people are under active investigation at any one time - but tens of thousands more could be planning to harm Brits.

Officers are treating the murder of three men in a Reading park as an act of terrorismCredit: Reuters

Libyan national Khairi Saadallah, 25, is being held on suspicion of terror offences

The former assistant commissioner for specialist operations in the Metropolitan Police told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that officials face a "wicked problem" deciding who to track.

"There is 40,000 people... whose names have touched the system," he said.

"And in that 40,000 are lots of volatile people who dip in and out of interests in extreme ideology, and to spot one of those who is going to go from a casual interest into a determined attacker, which can happen in a matter of days, is the most wicked problem that the services face."

He spoke out after three people were knifed to death in a park in Reading on Saturday.

Sir Mark Rowley has now spoken of the difficulties faced by security servicesCredit: Rex Features

Police were called to Forbury Gardens in Reading on Saturday after three people were knifedCredit: Reuters

Police, who are investigating the horror as a terror attack, have arrested Libyan national Khairi Saadallah.

Today, we exclusively revealed he had left jail just 16 days earlier and wanted to travel to Syria to fight.

Teacher James Furlong was the first of the three victims of Saturday’s horror in Reading, Berks, to be named.

And this morning, American Joe Ritchie-Bennett was revealed as the second victim.

The 39-year-old was remembered as a "brilliant and loving man" as his dad blasted the "senseless" killing

Asylum seeker Saadallah, 25, was also on medication for post traumatic stress and a suspected personality disorder before his release from prison 16 days ago.

And in 2018 he was granted leave to remain in the UK for five years despite convictions for violence.

Security minister James Brokenshire called the killings a "shocking and callous act".

However, when asked about reports that Saadallah was already known to MI5, Mr Brokenshire said the Government doesn't comment on intelligence matters.

At the weekend, Mr Furlong's parents paid tribute to him.

They said: "James was a wonderful man.

"He was beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun.

"We will never forget him and he will live in our hearts forever."

Students at the Holt School in Wokingham will light candles and lay flowers in memory of the teacher today.

Former pupil Molly Collins, who left the school in 2017, told the BBC this morning: "He was such a loved teacher.