Europol has launched a counter-terrorism centre aimed at strengthening the European Union's capacity to deal with the threat of extremism.

Europol director Rob Wainwright said the centrem, will be an enhanced central information hub for member states to increase information sharing and coordinate anti-extremism operations.

"Its primary focus will be on targeting the community of 5,000 European nationals that have been radicalised by conflict experience in Syria and Iraq, many of whom are returned to our societies to pose an urgent security threat to our citizens and our way of life. "

The centre, opened on Monday, will be led by a high ranking officer of the Spanish Civil Guard.