Exclusive
RIGHT TO KNOW
Cops should tell people if they have convicted terrorist living nearby, terror expert says
Two terrorists or 'terrorist risk' offenders are freed from jail each week
A TERROR expert wants a law forcing authorities to inform people if they have a convicted terrorist living in their street.
It would be similar to Sarah’s Law — introduced after the Sarah Payne’s 2000 murder by Roy Whiting.
1
That allows anyone to formally ask the police if someone with access to a child has a record for child sexual offences.
Chris Phillips, the former head of UK counter terrorism, said: “We need legislation to ensure people have the right to know if a terrorist is living nearby or — even worse — is forming a relationship with a member of your family.”
His call follows a warning that the terror threat in Europe has increased and an IS-inspired UK attack is “likely”.
Mr Phillips went on: “The release of terrorists into the community is a high-risk affair. Some may never offend again but many are still radicalised.
READ MORE ON TERRORISM
“It’s only right that the public should be informed and that they are not released quietly.”
A report by prison, probation and police watchdogs warns two terrorists or “terrorist risk” offenders are freed each week
We can reveal one such terrorist, Kyle Howe, 27 — who threatened to blow up a mosque — was freed in October despite being deemed too dangerous for early release in 2002.
The report also says there are not enough top officials to oversee the possible terror threat.
Most read in The Sun
Deaths of three men killed in Reading terror attack were 'probably avoidable' - as families slam 'catastrophic failures'