Trend Shift towards self-initiated terrorists outside organised networks

Summary

In its short-term outlook, the report expects the terrorist threat to the UK to be increasingly shaped by self-initiated individuals who act outside organised networks. This judgement draws on the 2023 CONTEST counter-terrorism strategy. As current evidence, the report points to the online spread of extreme violent material speeding up self-radicalisation, including among people attracted to violence without a clear ideological motive. The threat is increasingly organised around online communities, and the internet can serve as a channel that enables radicalisation. Attack methods have also shifted towards readily available tools, with bladed or blunt weapons used in about 80% of UK terrorist attacks since 2018.