GETTY/ REUTERS MPs have been warned British jihadis could target them and their staff

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Serving MPs have been told to increase security in their homes and constituencies amid fears they and their staff could be singled out for attack. It is known Islamic State (IS) has a political assassination unit aimed at Government officials and the Syrian bombing campaign has moved the spotlight on to the UK. With 300 jihadis returning to the UK and now free on the streets, security chiefs have warned of a direct threat.

A security insider said: “MPs are legitimate targets in the eyes of terrorists. Ministers who are in Metropolitan areas, where there are UK jihadists who have returned from Syria, are right to remain vigilant. “The definition of a terrorist attack is the threat of violence or actual violence against someone to force the government of the day to change their principal policies. “Who makes the decisions? The MPs do. They are members of the establishment seen as being more responsible for the bombing of Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria than RAF personnel.”

GETTY Serving MPs have been told to increase security in their homes amid fears of attacks

IG ISIS has a political assassination unit aimed at Government officials

The definition of a terrorist attack is the threat of violence or actual violence against someone to force the government of the day to change their principal policies An insider

The source added: “Those MPs who recently voted in favour of bombing Syria will also be more at risk.” In 2010, Stephen Timms, Labour MP for East Ham, was stabbed in his constituency office in east London by Islamist Roshonara Choudry, 21, because he voted for the Iraq War. She was jailed for life for attempted murder. Last week at least one MP was believed to have raised fears about a potential jihadi threat at a security briefing. Parliament’s security director Paul Martin also spoke to MPs about personal security. An MP said: “While security in and around Parliament is very tight, concern was raised about the potential threat to staff and family members back in the constituencies.”

TOLGA AKMEN/ LNP Labour’s Neil Coyle received death threats after voting for airstrikes in Syria

As well as the risk from terrorists, last week several MPs were singled out by Stop the War activists with threats made on the internet and demonstrations taking place outside their homes and offices. Some MPs are thought to have installed panic buttons in their constituency offices. A House of Commons spokesman said it was policy not to discuss security matters. The Metropolitan Police is currently investigating about 600 terror cases relating to Syria and Iraq.