There were no significant attacks or disrupted terrorist plots in the United Kingdom in June 2021. However, a bladed weapons attack against shoppers in Wurzburg by a suspected Islamist extremist killed three and injured eight. In Ontario, a vehicle-as-a-weapon attack by a suspected right-wing extremist killed four members of a Canadian-Pakistani family.
On 17 June, the first report related to the Manchester Arena Inquiry was released. The report highlighted serious shortcomings by multiple parties with responsibility for securing the Arena prior to the 2017 attack. The inquiry made several recommendations, including endorsing the proposed ‘Protect Duty’, which is currently under public consultation. The report underscores the importance of businesses taking responsibility to protect the public and to take proactive and appropriate steps to reduce or mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack.
In the UK, a former serviceman was convicted of terror and explosive offences after police discovered chemical stockpiles and right-wing extremist propaganda at his home in 2020. Finally, the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, warned that Britain faces a potential wave of terrorist attacks as pandemic-related restrictions are eased, citing the impact of mental health problems as a result of the pandemic as a key driver of further attacks.
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