GETTY - STOCK IMAGE Gilles de Kerchove said the UK as having more radicalised muslims than any other country in Europe

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European Union's counter-terrorism co-ordinator Gilles de Kerchove singled out the UK as having more radicalised muslims than any other country in Europe. Mr de Kerchove also warned Islamic State will attempt a cyber-attack on nuclear power stations or air traffic control systems within five years - possibly by paying Russian hackers to break into vital computer systems. The official, who is in regular contact with security services, as well as terror experts and governments around Europe, said: “The United Kingdom has identified 20,000 to 35,000 radicals. Of these, 3,000 are worrying for MI5, and of those 500 are under constant and special attention.

The United Kingdom has identified 20,000 to 35,000 radicals Gilles de Kerchove

“France has 17,000. Spain many less, but more than 5,000 I suppose. In Belgium almost 500 have been to Syria and there are around 2,000 radicals or more. “I wouldn’t like to put a concrete figure on it, but (in Europe) tens of thousands, more than 50,000. “We must select those who are really worrying and the most dangerous, and they should be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

GETTY - STOCK IMAGE He warned European countries will suffer further attacks inspired by ISIS

Mr de Kerchove, who has been in his position since 2007, was speaking in an interview with Spain’s El Mundo newspaper. He warned European countries will suffer further attacks inspired by ISIS - and said greater measures must be taken to prevent them. Asked about the 12-man cell who murdered 16 and injured more than 100 in attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils on August 17 and 18, he said: “It’s early to draw definitive conclusions, but we know that we need much greater efforts in prevention.

Kabul mosque attack: Pictures from the scene Fri, August 25, 2017 Gunmen have stormed a Shi'ite mosque throwing grenades and opening fire on worshippers Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 10 Afghan policemen take position at the site of a suicide attack followed by a clash between Afghan forces and insurgents after an attack on a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Kabul

“How do we detect the first signals (of radicalisation), no matter how weak they are? They succeeded in preparing the attacks under the radar. “We will suffer more attacks. Most, except for Brussels and Paris, were not directed from Raqqa, but they were inspired there. And later Islamic State claims responsibility. “The propaganda of the organisation no longer requires people to go to the caliphate. They can attack in their places or origin, including on a small scale with home-made weapons.”

Mr de Kerchove said it was vital that European intelligence agencies and police properly analyse the data they collect and share. For example, police in Catalonia had been warned about Abdelbaki Es Satty, the alleged leader of the Barcelona cell, by counterparts in Belgium, but failed to recognise the danger he represented. The counter-terrorism official warned that radicals were increasingly using the islamic concept of “taqiyya” - concealing their religious beliefs from those around them - in order to prevent detection.

GETTY Mr de Kerchove warned that radicals were increasingly using the islamic concept of 'taqiyya'