http://www.telegrap <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/06/nterror306. xml> h.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/06/nterror306.xml
Young, British and part of terror plot Last Updated: 3:46am GMT 06/11/2007 It was a terrorist case that excited little public interest. A few weeks ago, an Old Bailey jury found Abdul Patel, from east London, guilty of possessing a document likely to be useful for terrorism. He was sentenced to six months in custody, another bit-part player in the global terror conspiracy. * MI5: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=EN4QZM4B4OIUFQFIQMGSF GGAVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2007/11/05/nevans305.xml> Al-Qa'eda recruiting UK children for terror But what was remarkable about Patel was his age. When arrested, he was only 17 yet he was already part of an international terror network, one of a growing number of teenage jihadis causing deep concern to Britain's intelligence services. Abdul Patel, Analysis: Young, British and part of terror plot <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2007/11/06/nterror106.jpg> Abdul Patel: his case illustrates the threat to the UK outlined by the new head of M15 Jonathan Evans, the new head of MI5, used his first public speech yesterday to reinforce a warning issued last year by his predecessor, Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller. They both painted an alarming picture of youngsters still at school being radicalised by al-Qa'eda recruiters. There are at least three other British Muslims aged 16 or 17 in custody awaiting trial for alleged terrorist-related offences. They are not necessarily being recruited to carry out attacks but rather to help fund or facilitate them. Patel was said to be "ready, willing and able" to help terrorists. The manual he possessed could, ''in the wrong hands, have catastrophic consequences, including causing explosions of the most terrifying kind in the UK and abroad", the court heard. Patel was also linked to another alleged Islamist via mobile phone calls and text messages. His contact got in touch within hours of arriving in the UK on a false passport, suggesting he was part of an established conspiracy. Almost every terrorist plot now being monitored by MI5 has these networks. advertisement <http://view.atdmt.com/MDG/view/tlgrpvol0340000035mdg/direct/01/> The biggest concern is that, far from getting on top of the problem, it is getting worse because more youngsters are being radicalised. They attend mosques where imams preach anti-Western rhetoric or get information from jihadi internet sites which fuel resentment about Western foreign policy. Many young Muslims live separate lives from their counterparts in other ethnic groups and are less likely to hear views that do not reinforce existing prejudices. As Mr Evans spoke in Manchester yesterday, the next crop of terrorists was at school, preparing for GCSEs or A-levels. They are probably bright, politically interested and easily susceptible to the ideology of victimhood and receive a daily diet of anti-Western propaganda through TV stations and websites. Many will be of Pakistani background, able to travel with ease, claiming to be visiting relatives in the country where al-Qa'eda is based. Those who have signed up are taken to training camps in the border areas where the Pakistani government's writ does not run. Almost every terrorist convicted in Britain has been through the same process. What has become increasingly clear to MI5 in recent months is that most of the plots are being run directly by al-Qa'eda leaders based in Pakistan. Mr Evans, an expert in international counter-terrorism, said that Britain was being deliberately targeted. But it is also being used as a springboard for attacks on America, as with last summer's alleged airline plot. Uncomfortably for the Government, Mr Evans said the terror group's Iraqi-based command is also now directing operations against the UK. This appears to acknowledge that the invasion did increase the terrorist threat, despite ministerial denials. But al-Qa'eda needs home-grown supporters to carry out its work because importing terrorists from abroad makes them more vulnerable to capture and surveillance. This is why Muslim parents have been exhorted to watch their offspring for signs that they may have fallen into the clutches of the jihadists. Last week, Hazel Blears, the Communities Secretary, announced £70 million in ''hearts and minds" funding to undermine extremist influences. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? 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