Home Secretary Sajid Javid revealed today that 19 terror attacks were stopped by the UK's security services over the past two years.
Speaking at New Scotland Yard on the threat from terrorism, he also confirmed his power to exercise no-go zones for British citizens for parts of Syria and potentially for West Africa.
Javid said he has asked Home Office officials and counter-terror police to "urgently review" the case for designating terrorist hotspots, where it could soon be made an offence for British nationals to be in these areas.
Sajid added: "Anyone who is in these areas without a legitimate reason should be on notice."
Out of the foiled 19 major terrorist attacks, 14 of them were Islamist, and five of them "motivated by extreme right-wing ideologies."
Javid confirmed: "For each attack prevented, there are dozens more that never have the chance to begin in the first place."
While "the tempo of terror activity is increasing", the Home Office prepare the way for an Espionage Bill to combat the threat of hostile states following the Salisbury chemical weapons attack, and look at tightening its treason legislation.
As of February this year, police are allowed to stop people at UK ports and borders to determine if they are involved in hostile state activity.
Admitting there are "some real gaps in current legislation" he said: "We have to ensure that we have the necessary powers to meet the current and evolving threats to the UK both domestically and overseas."
Javid continued: "We have already prosecuted over 40 returnees for offences committed overseas, or as a result of counter-terrorism investigations."
But spoke about the victim support for young British children traumatised by their experiences in Daesh-held territories where he said "we are considering what more we can do to help them."
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'Strength in unity'
Speaking about why terrorists target the UK, he said: "Security underpins everything – our liberty, and our prosperity. And that, of course, is what motivates our enemies.
"Those that challenge us – whether it’s the twisted ideology of religious or political extremism, or the cold calculation of state actors, they do so because they detest our values.
"They seek to sow division between us because they see our strength in unity. They fear that strength, and that drives their hatred."
'Tireless commitment'
Sajid also paid tribute to the Prime Minister Theresa May in his speech: "Someone who has done more than anyone – both as our leader and as Home Secretary – to keep this country safe.
"Someone who has remained resolute in the face of terror attacks, cyber onslaughts and the use of a nerve agent on British soil.
"And I’d like to pay tribute to her today for her tireless commitment to our national security."
Mr Javid revealed he shares some of the concerns of UK allies, such as US and Australia, over allowing Chinese company Huawei access to telecommunications networks.
He said he would take these into account as the government makes a final decision on allowing the tech giant to supply 5G infrastructure.
In two months time, the Five Eyes summit will come together in Manchester. Here the Home Secretary will take forward an agenda on emerging threats – from drones to cyber crime.
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