Dr Joe Whittaker: ‘Don’t assume radicalisation all happens online – understanding offline networks is vital’

13th May 2026Andrew Staniforth, Policing Insight

Dr Joe Whittaker, Programme Director of the MA in Cyber Crime & Terrorism at Swansea University, spoke to Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth about his research into extremists’ use of the internet, the unintended consequences of the removal of terrorist content online, and the need for policing to recognise that while the internet is often integral to radicalisation, most terrorists and extremists are involved in offline physical networks that play an important role in the process.

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Dr Joe Whittaker: ‘Don’t assume radicalisation all happens online – understanding offline networks is vital’

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