What is terrorism?

Terrorism in the UK is defined in law, primarily by the Terrorism Act 2000. According to this act, terrorism means the use or threat of one or more of the following actions, both in and outside of the UK:

• Serious violence against a person.

• Serious damage to property.

• Endangering a person's life (other than that of the person committing the action).

• Creating a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public.

• Action designed to seriously interfere with or seriously to disrupt an electronic system.

 

Furthermore, for these actions (or threats) to be considered terrorism under the main definition, they must be designed to influence the government or an international governmental organisation or to intimidate the public or a section of the public, and must2 be for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial, or ideological cause.

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However, the use or threat of action that involves the use of firearms or explosives3 is considered terrorism regardless of whether it is designed to influence or intimidate the aforementioned parties.

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Key Aspects of the UK's Approach to Terrorism:

• Legislation: The Terrorism Act 2000 is the primary legislation, providing the definition of terrorism and various offences related to it. Subsequent acts, such as the Terrorism Act 2006 and the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019, have introduced further offences and powers.

• Counter-Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST): This is the UK's overarching strategy for countering terrorism. The 2023 update of CONTEST is based on four key pillars:

  • Prevent: To stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. This includes addressing the ideological causes of terrorism and intervening early to support those susceptible to radicalisation. The Prevent strategy has been a subject of review and reform.

  • Pursue: To stop terrorist attacks from happening. This involves investigating and disrupting terrorist activity.

  • Protect: To strengthen protection against terrorist attacks. This includes improving protective security measures.

  • Prepare: To minimise the impact of a terrorist attack and to recover as quickly as possible.

 

Terrorist Offences

The UK has a range of specific terrorism offences beyond directly carrying out attacks. These include:

• Preparation of terrorist acts.

• Collecting information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

• Dissemination of terrorist publications.

• Membership of a proscribed organisation.

• Supporting a proscribed organisation.

• Encouragement of terrorism.

• Providing or receiving instruction or training for terrorism.

• Attendance at a place for terrorist training.

• Funding terrorism.

• Proscribed Organisations: The Home Secretary has the power to proscribe (ban) organisations believed to be "concerned in terrorism." As of April 2024, there were 81 terrorist organisations proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000.

• Sentencing: Terrorism offences have specific sentencing guidelines, often reflecting the serious nature of the crimes and the potential harm caused. Maximum sentences can be severe, including life imprisonment for certain offences.

• International Cooperation: The UK works closely with international partners to counter the global threat of terrorism.

• Focus on Evolving Threats: The UK's counter-terrorism strategy acknowledges the evolving nature of the threat, including the rise of domestic terrorism by individuals inspired online and the persistent threat from Islamist terrorist groups.

 

If you have seen or heard something that you think could suggest terrorist activity, you can call the UK Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency, always call 999.