Security Expert Warns of Domestic Terrorism Threat in UK
The government is planning to overhaul the counter-extremism system, aiming to tackle emerging forms of terrorism, according to recent announcements.
A security expert cautioned that the threat to UK national security originates internally and is compounded by systemic complacency, resource constraints, and fear of racism accusations when wielding power. Moign Khawaja, a professor of security studies at Dublin City University, advocated for increased government investment and community involvement to address terrorism concerns. He stressed the importance of not ignoring public reports of suspected terrorism-related activities.
Khawaja highlighted the need for stricter policing, increased police powers, and greater community engagement to combat terrorism effectively. He mentioned that individuals reported for suspicious behavior sometimes manage to evade detection due to factors like complacency or the fear of being labeled racist. Khawaja emphasized the necessity of equal treatment under the rule of law irrespective of an individual’s skin color or ethnicity.
Recent shortcomings in the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy were exposed following the Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana’s involvement in a fatal incident despite being referred to the Prevent program earlier.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged the failure of multiple agencies to identify the risks posed by Rudakubana and initiated a review of the anti-terror program. Introduced in 2003, Prevent aims to divert individuals, particularly teenagers, away from various forms of extremism. However, incidents involving individuals previously referred to the program have raised concerns about its effectiveness.
Khawaja mentioned that while Prevent has had some success, its implementation has been criticized for being superficial and lacking integration, as demonstrated by cases like Rudakubana’s. He stressed the importance of avoiding scapegoating any specific community and emphasized the need for new arrivals in the UK to be willing to assimilate.
‘New’ Threat
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently highlighted a “new” terrorism threat facing the UK, which the existing laws and frameworks are ill-equipped to handle. The threat is posed by individuals like “loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom” who access harmful online content and carry out violent acts for attention, sometimes under the influence of terrorist groups.
Starmer pledged reforms to address this evolving threat, while Conservative MP David Davis contested the characterization, citing previous lone-wolf attacks to argue that such threats are not new.
Khawaja agreed that while the threat may seem novel, its fundamental roots are not new. He highlighted the changing profiles of attackers seen in recent years.
Legal Framework
The number of terrorism-related arrests in the UK has increased annually, with a significant percentage of those investigated for involvement in terrorism being individuals under 18, according to MI5 Director General Sir Ken McCallum. Current legislation addresses modern threats like online radicalization and foreign fighters, bolstering border controls and introducing preventive measures.
Despite Rudakubana’s admitted involvement in criminal activities related to terrorism, questions remain about his clear terrorist intent. Khawaja stressed the importance of identifying attacks motivated by politics as acts of terrorism, regardless of the specific ideology.
Ideological Complexity and Mental Health
The interplay of ideology, social factors, and mental health creates fertile ground for extremism, according to Khawaja. He highlighted that extremism often stems from a combination of issues, including social isolation, economic challenges, and advancements in technology.
Khawaja emphasized the role of online platforms in reinforcing extremist views and urged for comprehensive public anti-terrorism education, increased community involvement, and measures to address the use of AI by offenders in planning and executing attacks as part of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy.