The SIS has foiled 17 terror plots since 2017’s Westminster attack

UK secret services have foiled 17 terror plots in the past 18 months and officers are currently involved in close to 700 counter-terrorism investigations.

These figures were revealed by prime minister Theresa May following the recent car crash attack on the Houses of Parliament that left a group of cyclist injured but claimed no lives.

The majority of those 17 debunked terror plots were Islamist-based (13) with the remaining four being fueled by the far right.

Some 676 counter-terror investigations are ongoing, which marks a significant rise in terror threat from the 500 live operations from March this year.  

Mrs May admitted that the current terror threat level is “one of the starkest we have faced” and urged the public to “remain vigilant”.

The PM also praised the responses of security personnel reacting to the latest attack on Westminster, adding: “Once again, they did not flinch and ran towards a dangerous situation in order to protect the public. The country is hugely grateful for their calmness and professionalism.

“The twisted aim of the extremists is to use violence and terror to divide us. They will never succeed.”