Brussels, 08/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - The number of terrorist acts and attempts, as well as the number of terrorist-related arrests, was considerably higher in the EU in 2007 compared to one year earlier, it was revealed by Europol, the European law enforcement cooperation office, on Monday 7 April. In 2007, EU member states reported a 24% increase in the number of failed, foiled or successively executed terrorist acts (out of a total of 583), the Europol annual report states. Out of the total number, 517 terrorist acts were attributed to separatist groups operating in France and Spain. The number of people arrested in the context of these activities has, moreover, increased by 48% in one year, i.e. 1,044 people for 2007 alone, the report continues. It stresses, however, that, except for the loss of life of two Spanish policemen killed by Basque activists, the large majority of terrorist offences recorded in 2007 only caused material damage. A large majority of those arrested are EU citizens and a very small proportion (10%) are women. In 2007, member states reported a total of 201 suspects arrested (257 in 2006) for terrorist acts of an Islamic nature. Most arrests have been in France, Spain and the United Kingdom. As in 2006, most of those arrested were from North Africa (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia), although France also reports a large number of arrests of French nationals. Concerning the radicalisation and recruitment of terrorists, the report expresses concern about the direct relationship between the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and terrorist acts. Also, terrorist offences noted in Europe are increasingly inspired by groups connected to the Al-Qaeda network in Pakistan. A number of investigations have shown that European citizens trained in Pakistan have later become involved in terrorist acts on European soil. Somalia is also cited as being a new destination for persons wishing to fight in Islamic ranks. For further information on the new Europol report: http: //http://www.europol.europa.eu/ (B.C.)