Travel curb '˜could spur more UK terrorism'

Extremists who are unable to reach the middle east to fight for so-called Islamic State may carry out attacks in the UK instead, the Director of Public Prosecutions warned, as it emerged there have been more than 100 UK convictions for Iraq and Syria-related terrorism.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison SaundersDirector of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders
Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders

Alison Saunders said the authorities needed to be “very aware” of the risk posed by people who were unable to reach Syria but instead focused on actions in Britain, either plotting attacks or radicalising others. Analysis by the BBC showed that 85 per cent of the 109 people convicted of terrorism offences related to Iraq or Syria had never set foot in either country.

Ms Saunders said: “We need to be acutely aware that if people can’t go to Syria - and we have certainly seen this in some of the cases we have prosecuted - they may plan an attack here instead or they may to more to radicalise other people to attack.”

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She said “we need to be very aware of that” and it may mean that the “type of prosecutions” seen over the last few years may have to change.

The analysis shows the youngest offender was a then 14-year-old from Blackburn, who was convicted in 2015 after taking on the role of “organiser and adviser” to an alleged Australian jihadist in a plan to murder police officers in Melbourne on Anzac Day.

Those convicted include former prisoners, a hospital director and the son of a police officer. Married couples, siblings and a mother of six have also been prosecuted and of the 109 people convicted, 18 were female.

Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah said the figures showed the “changing nature of the threat”, with “frustrated travellers” plotting or carrying out low-tech “DIY attacks”.

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“We also know that IS is discouraging people from travelling and is encouraging them to perform jihad locally,” he said.

He said the internet was a “key front” in spreading terrorism, and added that the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, had held meetings with Google and Facebook about the issue.