MEP Roberta Metsola has called for measures to be stepped up to address the phenomenon of radicalised European citizens travelling to fight with extremists in conflict areas before they tried to return to spread hate and recruit more people from the EU.

Speaking during a European Parliament Committee debate she said recent events in conflict areas around the world had shown how urgent European action to tackle radicalisation and extremism was.

“It is very worrying and we need to act before this phenomenon spirals further out of control.

"A new strategy for the security of the Union must take this into consideration and build on the good steps – such as the creation of the Radicalisation Awareness Network - that have already taken place over the last years, while always ensuring that fundamental rights are respected," Dr Metsola said.