13/12/22
Rise in youth arrests for terrorism offences
Recent arrest statistics have shown an increase in teens arrested for terrorism-related offences.
The Home Office recently released statistics detailing the police's use of powers under the Terrorism Act 2000. The statistics show that there were 190 counter terrorism arrests in the year to September.
Children under 18 accounted for 16 per cent of the total numbers of arrests. This is a 3 per cent increase on the previous year.
Senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Tim Jacques said: “We are concerned about the powerful adverse influence that online content is having on individuals who end up in our counter terrorism casework.
“The reality is that dangerous and extremist content shared online, is making it easier for individuals to self-radicalise, which in turn is driving the ever-evolving threat.
“This risk is increasingly manifesting itself in the younger age groups, where it can take potentially deeper hold.
“The nature of some of this material means people may well find themselves the subject of one of our investigations if they engage with such horrific online content regardless of their intentions”.
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