What is terrorism, and what is a terrorist?

12th February 2025Andrew Staniforth, Policing Insight 3 Comments

The guilty plea and sentencing last month of 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana for the horrific murders of three young girls in Southport in July have prompted fresh debate about whether existing UK terrorism legislation is fit for purpose; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth looks back at how the current laws came into place, and what changes could mean for the definitions of ‘terrorism’ and ‘terrorist’.

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What is terrorism, and what is a terrorist?

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