COUNTER-TERRORISM officers say they are hunting a female jihadist from Scotland who is preparing to launch a deadly attack in her home country.

Scots police, Scotland Yard and the intelligence services are all trying to identify the woman. She has been nicknamed Betty Bomber by the security services, although fellow jihadists refer to her as "our Glasgow sister" by sympathisers.

Details of the female terrorist emerged after an investigative journalist team used fake identities to interact with recruiters from Daesh - also known as so-called Islamic State (IS) - on the internet.

It is thought she returned to the west after being trained abroad. Police insiders said the "well-spoken" Scot may have been radicalised by a childhood friend.

The case bears similarities with that of former private schoolgirl Aqsa Mahmood, also from Glasgow, who is believed to have been radicalised through online contact.

A police source told the Sunday Herald: "In terms of day to day policing, officers have been briefed on the latest developments and reports of a female terrorist suspect in Glasgow ... Enhanced patrols will continue at crowded places, including shopping centres and train stations, as well as iconic landmarks that people may visit.

"Police Scotland officers are working with officers from the Met Police to identify her. This is the top priority."

British Daesh recruiter Sally Jones, who is also known as Umm Hussain, made the claims to an undercover investigator.

Jones, who ran off to join extremists in Syria, is feared to have returned to the UK in recent weeks.

She joined Daesh in 2013 with her husband Junaid Hussain, who together have been dubbed 'Mr and Mrs Terror'.

Reports suggest she may have been seen in Birmingham, with two other people, both said to be around 20-years-old.

The female terrorist - who Jones claimed is "very good" - is based in Glasgow.

During online conversations with an undercover reporter, Jones said: "The only serious girl I've met is this sister from Glasgow. I mean, she's really gonna do it."

The UK's terror threat level remains at "severe", the second highest level, meaning an attack is "highly likely".

It recently emerged that up to seven British jihadis have been trained by Daesh and are now back in the UK.

One man is said to have trained abroad before returning to Britain "six weeks ago with a mission".

It is understood recruits are trained to use grenades, make bombs and use other weapons.

Ali Khan, executive chairman of Roshni which supports ethnic minority communities, said it was not surprising that people from Glasgow could be the targets of recruiters.

He said: "With regards to there being young people being drawn in from Glasgow, why would Glasgow be any different from any other part of Scotland or UK?

"Unfortunately, there are young vulnerable, perhaps misguided, young people all over UK who are seen as targets to be manipulated."

A leading figure in Glasgow's Muslim community, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "We have heard in recent weeks that more British Muslims have travelled abroad to fight or be trained to fight.

"It is a huge problem. We need to look at why so many British Muslims feel insecure at home.

"Why are so many undergoing an identity crisis? More needs to be to stop vulnerable young people seeing these online messages and being influenced by them."

There are now fears that terrorist recruiters are now insisting their targets stay at home and plot to carry out attacks in the UK rather than join them in Syria.

Our source confirmed that part of the investigation is also looking at whether or not the Scottish Daesh supporter might in fact be a fake propaganda exercise by terrorists rather than a real person.

They added: "These recruiters are like salesman, they are trying to radicalise you and encourage you around to their way of thinking. They are trying to sell you their ideas.

"It is not unheard of for recruiters to use sales techniques, including 'inventing' a third party, who has also bought into the recruiters' ideas. It is still possible that has happened here."

Assistant Chief Constable Ruaraidh Nicolson, Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism and Safer Communities, said: "Police Scotland is working with the Metropolitan Police following media reporting about potential terrorist activity in the United Kingdom.

"The threat level in the UK remains at severe which means an attack is highly likely.

"Against that backdrop Police Scotland constantly assesses and reviews its response to the threat from terrorism with policing operations being shaped appropriately and based on the latest intelligence analysis.

"The latest media reporting has been included within our day to day considerations.

"I would like to reassure the public that we are working closely with our security partners and we remain alert to all terrorist threats that may manifest here or where individuals overseas may seek to direct or inspire others to commit attacks in and against the UK.

"I would ask that communities remain alert for any suspicious activity and report it to the police so we can take the appropriate action required.

"Through the excellent relationship we have with the diverse communities across the country, Police Scotland and our partners remain committed to reducing the risk associated with people becoming involved in, or supporting terrorist or extremist behaviour.

"Communities are our biggest ally in the threat against terrorism."