British soldiers are at risk from "thousands" of lone wolf terrorists such as the Islamist fanatics who murdered Drummer Lee Rigby, the country's most senior counter-terrorism officers have warned.
Assistant Metropolitan CommissionerCressida Dick said troops will always be a target for those with a "perverted ideology" and the threat can never be eliminated.
The warning came as Muslim converts Michael Adebolajo (29) and Michael Adebowale (22) were yesterday convicted of the murder of 25-year-old Fusilier Rigby.
HACKING
Adebolajo showed no remorse and kissed his Koran as he was found guilty at the Old Bailey.
The pair ran the father-of-one down in the street in broad daylight before hacking him to death and dumping his body in the road in what was the first terror-releated murder on British soil since the July 7 bombings in 2005.
As they faced life in prison:
* Questions intensified over whether MI5 and the police could have done more to prevent the murder by two fanatics who were known to them.
* Security sources revealed others almost certainly knew of their plot to kill a soldier.
* The family of Mr Rigby spoke of their devastation and suggested his killers should be treated the same way he was.
* Police vowed to monitor every word of hate preachers like Anjem Choudary, who helped radicalise the pair, to see if prosecutions can be brought.
* Muslim leaders condemned their actions, saying it was a "barbaric act".
The death of Drummer Rigby was the latest in a series of terror plots to target British soldiers, often in so-called revenge for Britain's foreign policy.
Asst Comm Dick said: "Every year we've stopped a major plot designed to cause mass murder, and trials earlier this year of people intending to kill people on the streets of the UK including soldiers.
"Sadly we know that some people have a completely perverted ideology and do regard soldiers as a target.
"It's important that we recognise that and try to protect our military colleagues as best we possibly can.
But she added: "There are thousands of people who are subject to security service interest and investigations."
"We cannot reduce the risk of something like this happening to absolute zero but we will do everything in our power to do so."
Assistant Metropolitan CommissionerCressida Dick said troops will always be a target for those with a "perverted ideology" and the threat can never be eliminated.
The warning came as Muslim converts Michael Adebolajo (29) and Michael Adebowale (22) were yesterday convicted of the murder of 25-year-old Fusilier Rigby.
HACKING
Adebolajo showed no remorse and kissed his Koran as he was found guilty at the Old Bailey.
The pair ran the father-of-one down in the street in broad daylight before hacking him to death and dumping his body in the road in what was the first terror-releated murder on British soil since the July 7 bombings in 2005.
As they faced life in prison:
* Questions intensified over whether MI5 and the police could have done more to prevent the murder by two fanatics who were known to them.
* Security sources revealed others almost certainly knew of their plot to kill a soldier.
* The family of Mr Rigby spoke of their devastation and suggested his killers should be treated the same way he was.
* Police vowed to monitor every word of hate preachers like Anjem Choudary, who helped radicalise the pair, to see if prosecutions can be brought.
* Muslim leaders condemned their actions, saying it was a "barbaric act".
The death of Drummer Rigby was the latest in a series of terror plots to target British soldiers, often in so-called revenge for Britain's foreign policy.
Asst Comm Dick said: "Every year we've stopped a major plot designed to cause mass murder, and trials earlier this year of people intending to kill people on the streets of the UK including soldiers.
"Sadly we know that some people have a completely perverted ideology and do regard soldiers as a target.
"It's important that we recognise that and try to protect our military colleagues as best we possibly can.
But she added: "There are thousands of people who are subject to security service interest and investigations."
"We cannot reduce the risk of something like this happening to absolute zero but we will do everything in our power to do so."
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