MI5 spy in British jails to monitor Islamic radicals

London, Dec 21 (ANI): British spy chiefs are putting undercover officers into Britain's jails to monitor Islamic radicals thought to be recruiting terrorists.

There are almost 10,000 Muslims in Britain's jails - with 90 of them serving time for terror offences, News of the world reported.

Now ministers have been warned action is necessary to spot future extremist ringleaders and suicide bombers.

It is the first time MI5 has put terror spies into jails. In the past they have relied on listening bugs and police informers. But now they fear more and more young lags are being converted and radicalised in prison.

A Whitehall source said: "You are talking about rootless young men at the bottom of society. They're in jail and someone gives them some purpose. That's fine if we are talking about moral direction, not if it leads them to jihad."

In top-security jails such as Whitemoor, Cambs, 35 per cent of inmates are Muslim-and they have converted numerous other prisoners to Islam. (ANI)