Home Secretary Theresa May of the United Kingdom revealed that British forces have thwarted around 40 terrorist plots in the country, The Independent reported.
These attempts span from 2005 to 2014 and involve major operations such assassinations of high-profile leaders and bombings of planes and the London Stock Exchange.
May made the revelation as she introduced a set of anti-terror polices dubbed as the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill. The home secretary noted that the bill was conceptualized long before the extremist group ISIS became a serious threat to the welfare of the country.
"This legislation is important, the substance is right, the time is right and the way in which it has been developed is right," May said.
"It is not a kneejerk response to a sudden perceived threat," she added. "It is a properly-considered thought-through set of proposals that will help keep us safe at a time of very significant danger," she added. "We are engaged in a struggle that is fought on many fronts and in many forms."
The regulation, which is expected to be enacted by 2015, enforces new guidelines designed to prevent terrorist activities targeting the U.K.
Under the new law, U.K. citizens who decide to join militant groups from other nations will not be allowed to return to the country.
The authority of law enforcers will also be expanded to allow them to confiscate the passports of suspected members of terrorist groups. They will also be given jurisdiction over the information held by Internet-based companies.
The law will also foster a new type of relationship between the government and various facilities of the country, according to the Telegraph.
Academic institutions and penitentiaries will be required to adopt programs designed to discourage individuals from sympathizing with terrorist organizations. Insurance firms will also be prohibited from assisting in ransom transactions to cut-off the financial arm of the militant groups.
Despite the intention of the government to protect its citizens, May's announcement was criticized by various groups.
One of them is the human rights organization Liberty led by Director Shami Chakrabati. He warned about the potential for the new law to be abused by those in power, the Daily Mail reported.
"Yet again, politicians resort to high talk and rushed legislation in an attempt to look tough in the face of terrorism," Chakrabati said. "Another chilling recipe for injustice and resentment by closing down the open society you seek to promote."
