Now we target the twilight zone terrorists
There is no easy solution to the threat against the UK but we are using every weapon we have to fight it
The terrorist groups threatening us aren’t taking a break over the festive season, and nor is Theresa May’s Government in its unflinching defence of our security. We continually seek to strengthen our counter-terrorism capacity. So, today, I am proposing to extend the power to challenge unduly lenient sentences, which already cover the most serious offences, to nine other terrorist offences. We are determined to wield the full force of the law to punish, deter and disrupt anyone supporting or linked to terrorism.
The tragic lesson we are learning – this year from the London and Manchester attacks and others – is that terrorist plots are developing increasingly rapidly. From the moment a gullible mind is radicalised, to the planning of an attack can be a matter of weeks, even days. Time pressure is compounded by the scale of the threat. Our counter-terrorism police and MI5 are currently running more than 500 operations, involving about 3,000 subjects of interest.
There are another 20,000 people who have been previously investigated and could conceivably pose a renewed threat at some point in the future. As the previous independent reviewer of terrorism, David Anderson QC, reported in December, in a free country we can’t guarantee to stop every attack. But we strive for the very best defences.
We have a strong criminal-law base in place, so robust enforcement is crucial. In the seven years since 2010, UK police and prosecutors have secured a 72 per cent increase in convictions compared to the seven preceding years. The number of terrorists incarcerated following prosecution has doubled in four years. However, as the threat evolves our strategy must adapt. We must focus, not just on those directly planning or carrying out attacks, but also on those who encourage, help or abet the ringleaders. Doing so drains support from – and disrupts – active terrorist groups.
So we need to prosecute relentlessly those who lurk in the criminal twilight zone around the key figures planning attacks. Extending the Unduly Lenient Scheme (ULS) will help. It enables victims and the public to apply to the Attorney General, who can challenge prison sentences regarded as light. Ultimately the Court of Appeal will decide. It is a valuable check in the system, giving victims and the public a stronger voice in our justice system.
In serious criminal cases, ULS is used about 100 times a year to lengthen terms of imprisonment. In July, we added 19 further terrorism offences – including encouraging terrorism and sharing terrorist propaganda. Today, we are adding nine more. They include those who commit offences by tipping off suspects under investigation; those who breach monitoring conditions; and individuals engaging in hoaxes involving toxic substances. We want the strongest punishments for anyone supporting or connected to terrorism.
This is just one element in our strategy. We’ve sharpened our rapidreaction capability in the face of the threat level. We are investing £50 million extra in counter-terrorism policing next year. The number of armed police will increase by more than 1,000 over the next two years, and our specialist officers are betterequipped than ever. Likewise, our brave fire and ambulance teams are better trained to respond.
Information-gathering powers have also been reinforced, along with our ability to choke the pipelines of criminal finance. There are new powers to intercept jihadis setting off to, or returning from, Syria and Iraq. The first Separation Centre was opened at HMP Frankland to contain those seeking to promote terrorism, radicalise prisoners or spread extremism. And tech companies are getting better at removing terrorist material posted online – although we continue to press them to do even better.
There is no silver bullet that can eliminate the terrorist threat. Robust prosecution is just one piece of the strategic jigsaw. But, we won’t rest until all the pieces are in place. Extending ULS so anyone supporting, or linked to, terrorism faces longer in jail is another step forward.
Dominic Raab is MP for Esher & Walton, and Minister of State for Justice