15 January 2024 | Threat Analysis, Threat Landscape
Author: Oliver Hair ASyI,Threat Analyst Read Time: 3 minutes Tags: On 12 January 2024, an individual was sentenced to life in prison for plotting a “revenge” mass shooting at his former school in Worle, North Somerset. The individual was also convicted of weapons charges linked to the construction of homemade weapons including pistols, submachine guns, a shotgun, ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices, and grenades. The individual had reportedly written a 1,700-word document outlining who he intended to murder, including teachers at his former school and...
06 December 2023 | Blog, Security
Tags: As the festive period approaches, it is important to remember that the UK faces a diverse and evolving terrorism threat. Among others, the 2016 Berlin Christmas Market and 2018 Strasbourg attacks act as a reminder of the intent of terrorist actors globally to conduct attacks targeting large crowds of people at this time of year. Terrorist actors in the UK maintain the intent and capability to conduct attacks during the festive period, indiscriminately targeting members of the public at publicly accessible and iconic sites. The UK terrorism threat level...
04 December 2023 | Islamist Terrorism, Threat Analysis
Author: Oliver Hair ASyI,Threat Analyst Read Time: 3 minutes Tags: On 02 December 2023, an Islamist terrorist conducted a marauding Bladed and Blunt Force Weapons attack in central Paris, using a knife and a hammer. There was one fatality, and two others, including a British tourist, were injured.[1] Prosecutor Jean-François Ricard said the alleged suspect had pledged allegiance to Islamic State prior to the attack and had previously served four years in prison in 2016 for plotting to conduct a separate attack.[2] The perpetrator reportedly told police after...
15 November 2023 | Islamist Terrorism, Threat Analysis
Author: Oliver Hair ASyI,Threat Analyst Read Time: 3 minutes Tags: On 13 November 2023, an individual suspected of being a member of a four-man Islamic State (IS) cell nicknamed “The Beatles” was sentenced to eight years in prison. The individual pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and two charges of funding terrorism following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.[1] He had previously served seven and a half years in prison in Turkey for being a senior member of IS, however, had denied being a member of “The...
19 July 2023 | Threat Analysis, Threat Landscape
Author: Oliver Hair ASyI, Junior Threat Analyst Read Time: 3 minutes Tags: On 18 July 2023, the UK Government launched CONTEST 2023, an updated version of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy. CONTEST was first launched in 2003 and is made up of four key pillars; Prevent, Pursue, Protect, and Prepare. The strategy’s mission is to “reduce the risk from terrorism to the UK, its citizens and interests overseas, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence”.[1] As part of the updated strategy launch, Home Secretary Suella Braverman gave an...
