Terrorism charges hit five-year high amid rise in online offending

The number of terrorism charges in Scotland has hit a five-year high, with Police Scotland attributing the rise in part to a surge in “online offending”.

Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 66 terrorism charges were brought forward, with 23 recorded last year alone.

Seven of the individuals charged in 2024 were under the age of 18, according to an FOI obtained by STV News. Of the total, just three were female and 20 were male.

The 2024 figure is four times higher than the number recorded in 2023, and more than triple the total from both 2020 and 2021.

So far this year, officers have charged two men aged between 18 and 34 with terrorism offences.

In January, a 16-year-old boy appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court following his arrest outside Inverclyde Islamic Centre on Laird Street. He cannot be named for legal reasons.

He was charged with three terrorism offences. One of the charges alleges he prepared to commit terrorism or assist another person to do so.

The other two allege he collected or made a record of information likely to be useful to someone committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or that he possessed a document or record containing such information.

The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act was introduced in 2019 to better tackle online radicalisation and the expression of support for proscribed organisations.

Assistant chief constable Stuart Houston told STV News the increase in online offending has led to more people “contravening counter terrorism legislation”.

He said: “We will not hesitate to act on all reports of terrorism offences and investigate behaviour which constitutes a terrorism offence or attempts to radicalise others.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling all forms of terrorism within our communities and help and support from the public is vital. Anyone with information about this kind of crime should contact us immediately.”

The Scottish Government said it continues to work with key partners across Scotland and the UK to “identify and tackle” terrorism threats.

A spokesperson said: “We work closely with key partners in Scotland and the UK to ensure we are able to identify and tackle the threat of terrorism.”

Scottish Conservative shadow community safety minister Sharon Dowey MSP described the rise in charges as “concerning”.

She said: “It is deeply alarming to see such a concerning rise in terrorism related charges especially amongst young adults.

“It is crucial that sufficient resources are in place to provide the police and other services with everything they need to curb these numbers from rising further.

“Given recent atrocities, it is vital that the police and security teams across the UK work collaboratively to keep communities as safe as possible.”