Technology and online platforms are increasingly being used to threaten the United Kingdom, with hostile countries, extremists, and far-right groups exploiting these channels, according to senior British police officials.
In a statement, Vicki Evans, a senior national coordinator for counterterrorism at the Metropolitan Police, described a "continual battle" against online threats and emphasized the need for assistance from technology companies, stating, "it's not something we can do alone."
While Islamic extremism remains a significant threat, Laurence Taylor, head of counterterrorism police, noted that threats from far-right groups and hostile states have grown substantially over the past five years. Evans identified the threat from hostile states as the "most rapidly escalating mission" for counterterrorism police.
Recent incidents illustrate this trend. In July, two Romanian men were jailed for an attack on a journalist from a Persian-language television station, an act the judge stated was carried out on behalf of the Iranian government. In June, two men were imprisoned for their involvement in setting fire to property linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a plot described as Russian state-backed sabotage. Additionally, a U.K. border official and former Hong Kong police officer were convicted in May of spying for China.
Evans further detailed that in 2025, authorities identified more than 20 Iran-backed plots, including assassination and kidnapping attempts against the U.K. Investigations are also underway to determine if arson attacks on Jewish sites earlier this year have connections to Iran. Russia, she added, is orchestrating a "constant stream of surveillance plots" targeting individuals and institutions in Britain, aiming to identify those perceived as enemies, infiltrate daily life, and recruit individuals to spread Russian narratives or act on behalf of the Russian state.
Across Europe, Russia has reportedly recruited individuals via platforms like Telegram to carry out vandalism and arson, including an incident targeting a London warehouse containing communications equipment destined for Ukraine. The ringleader of that plot was recruited by the Wagner Group, a mercenary organization acting for Moscow. Police have also arrested teenagers as young as 15 in connection with such proxy plots, highlighting the challenge that "anyone could be targeted," particularly online.
The U.K.'s national threat level was raised in April from "substantial" to "severe," partly due to a significant increase in cases linked to extreme far-right ideologies. Police have observed a rise in "vile" online content characterized by racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Taylor indicated that extreme views are facing less challenge, leading to a greater prevalence of previously unacceptable opinions.
Examples of radicalization and violence fueled by extreme ideologies include the case of an 18-year-old woman, Alina Burns, who received nearly 20 years in prison for an ax attack motivated by her extreme right-wing mindset. Alfie Coleman, 22, was sentenced to 13.5 years for attempting to purchase a firearm from an undercover officer, having been radicalized online from the age of 14.
Evans explained that online content designed to attract young people often blends propaganda with gaming footage, historical images, and music. This content can prompt young individuals to engage in violence, sometimes by attempting to replicate acts from video games. She also noted that "sadistic online groups" encourage competition among individuals to inflict harm, both online and offline, through cyberattacks, extremism, serious violence, or even child sexual abuse and terrorism.
The prevalence of "lawful but awful" online content, including extreme violence and gore, has, in some instances, led to a distorted perception of what constitutes normal or acceptable behavior, making individuals more susceptible to manipulation, including by state actors. While the government has proposed banning social media for those under 16, Evans suggested this is insufficient and called for increased pressure on technology companies to help mitigate harmful online content. She noted that regulations governing harmful online content can quickly become outdated, while social platforms possess powerful tools for content distribution to young users, making the transition into harmful online spaces "very swift and steep" for some individuals.