ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Britain is facing the threat of more spectacular attacks from Islamic State terrorists, Britain’s head of counter terrorism warned today.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said Islamic State was broadening its plans for bigger and more ambitious atrocities against Western targets including the UK.

He cited the recent Paris firearms attack and the two recent bomb attacks on passenger jets - one which destroyed a Russian airliner shortly after taking off from the Sharm El Sheikh resort in Egypt.

He said in recent years police encountered small terror groups plotting to kill members of the police and security forces.

Mr Rowley said: “We are now seeing a broadening of that threat and groups trying to mount bigger attacks.”

He said there was a threat of experienced and military trained terrorists with experience in fighting in Syria, similar to those behind the Paris massacres.

He added: ”Terrorists groups are always about impact. Terrorists groups have always wanted to do a grander and more spectacular attack because they have more impact.

"Now you see terror groups with big ambitions for enormous and spectacular attacks not just the type that we have seen foiled to date."

He said as Islamic State has built its terror networks then more ambitious attacks are the “natural next step.”

Figures show there were 339 terror arrests in England and Wales last year, the highest number on record.

Figures showed around 14 per cent of people arrested last year were female and 13 per cent were 20 and under.

Nearly 80 per cent were UK nationals.

Mr Rowley said the increase in the number of children and families involved was worrying.

He said 50 young people and 20 families were subject to court proceedings last year as a result of counter terrorist information.

Mr Rowley said police were constantly changing tactics to deal with the changing terror threat - including recruiting more firearms officers across the UK.