In 2023 the number of UK residents aged 17 years or under being arrested for terrorism-related offenses reached a record high of 219 arrests, announced the UK Counter Terrorism Police.
There were 52 more arrests in 2023 than in 2022, and a 31% increase from the previous peak in 2019.
Data on youth arrests for terror offenses has been collected since 2001, indicating that the number of arrests was at least at least a 22-year high.
Acting Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Richard Smith said “We take no pleasure from the increasing numbers of young people we’re seeing in our investigations and casework.”
“Whilst our role is to stop anyone – no matter their age – committing terrorism offenses or planning to cause harm to the public, it is truly shocking that almost one in every five of our arrests involves a young person.”
“For several years now, we have warned about the risk of children and young people who are becoming involved in terrorism-related activity and the statistics released yesterday reaffirm our concerns.”
