Record number of terrorists tried in UK

British police crack down on terrorism.

Figures released by the UK Home Office on September 14 showed that the number of terrorists brought to trial in the UK has risen to its highest level in nearly 10 years. Specifically, a total of 100 subjects were brought to trial in the 12 months to June 30, up 39% compared to the previous year. Of these, 90 subjects were convicted, which is also the highest number since data collection began in 2009. In addition, the number of arrests related to terrorism has decreased by 22% from 449 to 351, the reason being that last March saw a peak in arrests after five terrorist attacks.

Responding to the Home Office's announcement, Home Office official Dean Haydon stressed: "We may have seen a reduction in arrests over the past 12 months, but this figure needs to be seen in the context of the fact that we have prevented 13 plots involving Islamist extremists and four plots involving right-wing extremists since March 2017, so it certainly does not represent a reduction in the threat from terrorism we face."

According to Mr. Haydon, the record number of people brought to trial, as well as the reduction in the number of arrests, only shows the efforts of police and security forces to protect people and bring criminals to justice.

It is known that British police still maintain tight security and warn that the terrorist threat to this country is still serious despite the decrease in the number of arrests. In recent times, Britain has suffered many bloody terrorist attacks in major cities, especially the terrorist attack on March 22, 2017 outside the British Parliament building, which killed at least 5 people and injured more than 40. This is considered the biggest terrorist attack in London since the suicide bombing that killed 52 people in July 2005.