Latest news with #criminaloffence
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Yvette Cooper to create new offence to cover non-terrorist planning of attacks
A new criminal offence is to be introduced to 'close the gap' between lone, violence-obsessed individuals with no particular ideology and terrorism suspects, the home secretary has said. Yvette Cooper said an offence that would give police the power to apprehend the former long before they acted was needed in the wake of the Southport attack last year. Terrorism suspects can be jailed for life even if their plans are not fully formed. Axel Rudakubana, then 17, stabbed three young girls to death at a summer holiday dance class in July last year and attempted to murder eight other children and two adults who tried to protect them. Cooper told BBC Radio 4's State of Terror series: 'There is a gap in the law around the planning of mass attacks that can be just as serious [as terrorism] in their implications for communities, their impact, the devastation that they can cause and the seriousness of the crime. 'We will tighten legislation so that that is taken as seriously as terrorism.' She said police would get the power to prevent such individuals who did not have a clear ideology, in the same way they can with terrorism suspects. Under section 5 of the Terrorism Act, a person who engages in any conduct in preparation of a terrorist act is guilty of the offence, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. At the bottom end of the scale, the offence includes engaging in very limited preparation for terrorist activity but there must be a link to an ideological cause. Cooper said: 'We've seen cases of growing numbers of teenagers potentially radicalising themselves online and seeing all kinds of extremist material online in their bedrooms. 'They're seeing a really distorted and warped online world. 'We have to make sure that that the systems can respond while not taking our eye off the ball of the more longstanding ideological threats.' The Prevent anti-terrorism scheme declined to take on Rudakubana's case three times, after teachers raised concerns about him from 2019 to 2021, three years before he committed the atrocity. His first referral was from his teachers after he admitted bringing a knife into school on 10 occasions to 'stab someone', researched massacres of children at US schools and made 'graphic' comments about violence. He later said 'the [2017] terrorist attack on the MEN [Manchester Arena] was a good thing'. While there was concern about his interest in violence, Prevent concluded there was no sign it was driven by a terrorist ideology. A public inquiry into the Southport killings began this month. Its chair, Sir Adrian Fulford, said it would examine the 'wholesale failure' of institutions to prevent 'one of the most egregious crimes in our country's history'. He said he would consider whether courts should be given powers to impose restrictions on individuals known to pose a risk but when there was insufficient evidence to justify an arrest. Earlier this year, David Gauke's independent sentencing review said the introduction of new offences and longer sentences was one of the factors behind the prison overcrowding crisis
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Protesters ‘to hold banners in support of banned Palestine Action' over weekend
More protests against Palestine Action being designated a terror group are to take place across the UK after police reiterated that showing support for them is a criminal offence. Last weekend, the Metropolitan Police arrested 29 people who demonstrated in support of the group in London, including Reverend Sue Parfitt, 83. Campaign group Defend Our Juries said more demonstrations will take place in the capital, as well as in Manchester, Cardiff and Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on Saturday. A group will gather in Parliament Square from 1pm, and Defend Our Juries said protesters will hold signs saying: 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.' Scotland Yard said its stance remains that officers will act where criminal offences, including support of proscribed groups or organisations, are committed. The force added that this includes 'chanting, wearing clothing or displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos'. The designation as a terror group means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The move to ban the organisation was announced after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20, an incident claimed by Palestine Action, which police said caused about £7 million of damage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23, saying that the vandalism of the two planes was 'disgraceful' and that the group had a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage'. MPs in the Commons voted 385 to 26, majority 359, in favour of proscribing the group, before the House of Lords backed the move without a vote. A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said: 'Are these people holding up signs serious criminals committing terror crimes, who should be locked up for 14 years? 'Or are they ordinary, decent people, exercising their democratic rights and taking a stand against corruption, injustice and genocide? Make up your own mind.'
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
1,755 arrests made in first two years of non-fatal strangulation offence becoming law
More than 1,750 arrests have been made for non-fatal strangulation in Northern Ireland since it became a specific criminal offence. One survivor of the crime, Sarah, has urged anyone who has suffered it to report it to police and not to risk their life. Non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation was made a specific criminal offence in Northern Ireland two years ago this month, and those found guilty can face up to 14 years in prison. Non-fatal strangulation includes: any part of your body or another object, such as a ligature like a scarf or belt, chokeholds or headlocks, hanging, drowning or smothering. From June 26 2023 to May 31 2025, police received 1,893 reports of non-fatal strangulation, and officers made 1,755 arrests resulting in 765 charges. Detective Superintendent Lindsay Fisher said police figures indicate that between 10-12% of reporting domestic abuse victims have experienced non-fatal strangulation, placing them at the highest risk. 'In fact, studies have shown that in domestic abuse settings, victims are eight times more likely to be murdered by their partner if they have previously strangled them,' she said. 'We have made a significant amount of arrests and hit the ground running with this new legislation in just the first two years. 2,092 officers and staff have received specific training. 'We hope that this gives victims the confidence to come forward and continue reporting knowing that our officers are recognising and responding to the seriousness of this violent act.' Speaking about her experience, Sarah, who has been a victim of non-fatal strangulation twice at the hands of her abusive ex-partner, said it was the most terrifying thing she had ever experienced. She reported it to police and as a result, the perpetrator pleaded guilty to both incidents. 'I remember the first time it happened, I couldn't quite believe that this violent man had my life in his hands. Although the strangling only lasted a matter of seconds, it felt longer to me,' she said. 'You almost exit your body and feel everything slipping away as you struggle to breathe and lose control of your bladder. It is the most terrifying thing I've ever experienced. 'Feeling another person's hand on your throat and looking into their eyes as they squeeze is surreal. 'I am pleased that the police have hit the ground running with this legislation over the last couple of years and helped women like me get justice. 'To be listened to, believed and supported is all someone needs who has been through what I have. 'In any abusive relationship, the victim always feels guilt about the burden the trauma places on others around them. I am no different. Phoning the police that night as I sat broken on the top of my stairs was the best thing I ever did for me and my children. I have created distance between me and my abuser and we are finally safe. 'My message to others out there is – don't risk your life by staying.' Ms Fisher said the health consequences are often delayed. 'It is common for strangulation to leave no visible signs of injury and consequences can be delayed by days or weeks,' she said. 'These include stroke, cardiac arrest, miscarriage, incontinence, seizures, memory loss and long-term brain injury. 'Consciousness can be lost after as little as four seconds. Blocking the jugular vein can take less pressure than opening a can of coke. 'Loss of consciousness indicates at the very least, a mild brain injury and many victims lose control of their bladder and bowels. 'Often, strangulation is glorified as a gratifying act for both parties in pornography and young people in particular are susceptible to thinking this could be a fun, 'consensual' act to spice things up. 'However, the reality is far from the case. Consent to rough sex is not a defence.'
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arrests made at protest in support of banned Palestine Action
Arrests have been made at a protest in London being held in support of Palestine Action after a ban on the group came into force on Saturday, police said. The Metropolitan Police posted on X on Saturday afternoon saying officers are responding to the protest in Parliament Square and making arrests. Palestine Action lost a late-night Court of Appeal challenge on Friday which sought to stop the protest group being banned, less than two hours before the new legislation came into force at midnight. Officers are responding to a protest in support of Palestine Action in Parliament Square. The group is now proscribed and expressing support for them is a criminal offence. Arrests are being made. Further updates will be shared here. — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 5, 2025 The designation as a terror group means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The force posted on X saying: 'Officers are responding to a protest in support of Palestine Action in Parliament Square. 'The group is now proscribed and expressing support for them is a criminal offence. 'Arrests are being made. 'Further updates will be shared here.'
