Measures including longer sentences for several terrorism
offences and ending automatic early release for convicted
terrorists have commenced two months after the Counter-Terrorism
and Border Security Act received Royal Assent.
The management of convicted terrorist offenders has also been
strengthened with stricter notification requirements.
It is now illegal to recklessly express support for, or publish
images of flags, emblems or clothing in a way which suggests you
are a member or supporter of a proscribed
organisation and certain preparatory terrorism offences,
including encouragement of terrorism or the dissemination of
terrorist publications, now carry a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Home Secretary said:
These new laws give the police the powers they need to disrupt
terrorist plots earlier and ensure that those who seek to do us
harm face just punishment.
As we saw in the deadly attacks in London and Manchester in
2017, the threat from terrorism continues to evolve and so must
our response, which is why these vital new measures have been
introduced.
A new offence introduced in the Act also gives the Home Secretary
the power to designate an area outside of the UK, subject to
Parliamentary approval, to restrict UK nationals and residents
from entering or remaining in that area, if he is satisfied that
it is necessary to protect members of the public from terrorism.
An individual found to have entered or remained in a designated
area, unless for a legitimate reason such as being there
involuntarily, could face up to 10 years in prison. The offence
will not allow the retrospective prosecution of those who have
already travelled overseas to fight and returned to the UK, but
it will assist in a future conflict to which UK nationals or
residents seek to travel.
Furthermore, the Act extends extra-territorial jurisdiction for a
number of terrorism offences including inviting support for a
proscribed organisation and making or possessing explosives for
the purposes of carrying out an act of terrorism.
The provisions that have commenced today:
- create an offence of reckless expressions of support for a
proscribed organisation
- create an offence of publication of images, and a police
power to seize items as evidence, related to a proscribed
organisation
- create an offence of obtaining or viewing terrorist material
over the internet
- create an offence of entering or remaining in a designated
area
- amend the offences of encouragement of terrorism and
dissemination of terrorist publications
- extend extra-territorial jurisdiction for certain offences
including inviting support for a proscribed organisation
- increase maximum sentences for terrorism offences
- make extended sentences available for terrorism offences –
ending automatic early release and allowing a longer period on
licence
- strengthen notification requirements on convicted terrorists,
and introduce greater powers to enter and search their homes
- extend Serious Crime Prevention Orders for terrorism offences
- introduce further traffic regulations
- provide for a statutory review of Prevent
Updated legislation was central to the government’s updated counter-terrorism
strategy, CONTEST, which was published in 2018 following a
fundamental review after the terrorist attacks in London and
Manchester in 2017.
Further provisions in the Act to crackdown on hostile state
activity, will come into force in the coming months. The Home
Office is currently consulting on the codes of
practice governing the use of this power.
