Islamic State is likely to carry out new attacks in the European Union soon, probably targeting countries that are members of the US-led coalition fighting the extremist group in Syria and Iraq, EU police agency Europol warns.
"Estimates from some intelligence services indicate several dozen people directed by IS may be currently present in Europe with a capability to commit terrorist attacks," according to the report published on Friday.
But Islamic State is also adept at inspiring marginalised youths, some of whom might have mental health problems, and inciting them to carry out attacks.
The report also warns tactics the group uses in Iraq and Syria - such as the use of car bombs - could be deployed in Europe.
Europol also notes a shift in attacks from symbolic targets such as police officers and military personnel to indiscriminate attacks on soft targets, such as the Paris attacks in 2015.
The report says the focus on so-called soft targets means attacking critical infrastructure such as power grids and nuclear facilities is "currently not a priority".
Europol also says the consensus among intelligence agencies in EU member states is "the cyber capabilities of terrorist groups are still relatively low".
However, "the possibility of terrorist-affiliated cyber groups engaging in cyber warfare sponsored by nation states ... should not be discounted".
Meanwhile, a police raid in Morocco in February might have thwarted a possible attack by an Islamic State cell using chemical or biological weapons, raising the spectre that such weapons also could be used in Europe.
However, the report says automatic firearms, knives and vehicles are more easily available and "the effectiveness, ease of use and access of these weapons will continue to be relevant".
"Estimates from some intelligence services indicate several dozen people directed by IS may be currently present in Europe with a capability to commit terrorist attacks," according to the report published on Friday.
But Islamic State is also adept at inspiring marginalised youths, some of whom might have mental health problems, and inciting them to carry out attacks.
The report also warns tactics the group uses in Iraq and Syria - such as the use of car bombs - could be deployed in Europe.
Europol also notes a shift in attacks from symbolic targets such as police officers and military personnel to indiscriminate attacks on soft targets, such as the Paris attacks in 2015.
The report says the focus on so-called soft targets means attacking critical infrastructure such as power grids and nuclear facilities is "currently not a priority".
Europol also says the consensus among intelligence agencies in EU member states is "the cyber capabilities of terrorist groups are still relatively low".
However, "the possibility of terrorist-affiliated cyber groups engaging in cyber warfare sponsored by nation states ... should not be discounted".
Meanwhile, a police raid in Morocco in February might have thwarted a possible attack by an Islamic State cell using chemical or biological weapons, raising the spectre that such weapons also could be used in Europe.
However, the report says automatic firearms, knives and vehicles are more easily available and "the effectiveness, ease of use and access of these weapons will continue to be relevant".