Jihadists undergo radicalisation training in deepest rural west Wales say specialist anti-terror police

Terrorists are undergoing training in rural areas of west Wales, it has emerged. Locations in Ceredigion, Powys and Pembrokeshire are also being used to radicalise Muslims, according to an officer from the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit.

Those involved in such activities ‘take part in seemingly ordinary activities’ in the community but ‘have an ulterior motive’, Detective Constable Gareth Jones said. Speaking to Ceredigion Council, DC Jones stressed that issues surrounding terrorism were not confined to large cities. 

Incidents of Islamic extremist activity in Wales can be traced back to 1998, when it is claimed hate preacher Abu Hamza sent a group of 10 extremists to train in the Brecon Beacons, in Powys. The area is one of several locations used by the British military for training. Its rugged terrain helps prepare soldiers, including elite forces personnel like the SAS, physically and mentally for warfare.

Michael Adebowale, one of the men convicted of murdering Fusilier Lee Rigby, is understood to have studied Arabic at the former European Institute of Human Sciences at Highmead, near Llanybydder. The centre is understood to have been set up by Iraqi clerics.

Speaking to councillors, DC Jones said: ‘This chap attended the Institute for Human Sciences for quite some time. It’s fair to say that is a connection to a horrendous terrorist attack in the UK. Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys have been used for radicalisation training. These people do turn up and take part in seemingly ordinary activities, but they do have an ulterior motive. This does happen in Ceredigion.’

DC Jones added that community intelligence was important to authorities.