BRITS who travel to terror hot spots without good reason face a 10 year jail term in thanks to a year-long campaign by Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock.

The key role played by home affairs committee member Mr Woodcock was acknowledged by security minister Ben Wallace as MPs voted to toughen up the counter terror bill which is going through parliament.

The Independent MP has been lobbying ministers to follow Australia’s example and make it an offence to travel to terror war zones.

Only one in ten Brits returning from Iraq and Syria during the recent conflict have been successfully prosecuted for supporting terrorism.

Police and security services said they are currently powerless to take action against the the majority of returning British Jihadis because of a lack of admissible evidence – despite the fact there is often no other credible reason for them going to areas under extremist control.

Responding to Mr Woodcock’s campaign, the government tabled an 11th hour amendment to the counter terror bill which replicates the Australian ‘designated areas’ system – allowing the government to ban travel to particular terror zones unless they can prove a legitimate purpose like participating in aid work.

Speaking in the House of Commons debate on the bill, Mr Wallace said: “It is incredibly frustrating to know that in our communities are people who pose a real risk and who we have struggled to be able to prosecute. That is not because of resource, but because of statute, and that is what we are trying to fix.

“I place on record that the Hon. Member for Barrow and Furness has done a lot on this issue. Unlike many people who speak on these things, he has met detainees in Turkey and other places. He has been supportive and made suggestions on this type of measure, which will make a difference. While Syria is tragically coming to a place where there are endless horrors on the horizon in terms of Idlib that we must all unite to try to stop, the groomers are encouraging people to go to new places and new safe spaces.”

Mr Woodcock said: “Hundreds of Brits who may have been trained in terror tactics abroad have been let back into the country, potentially making our streets less safe. These new laws should be a big step forward in giving our security forces the tools they need to protect us from the threat of these evil extremists who have been so effective in brainwashing some young British Muslims.”