Counter terror police warn renewed efforts to de-radicalise extremists are vital to protect public

Flowers are left in tribute to the victims of the terror attack at Fishmonger's Hall
AFP via Getty Images
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Counter terror police today warned that renewed efforts to de-radicalise extremists are vital to protect the public despite new laws that will bring longer sentences for some convicts and allow indefinite controls on freed offenders.

Under legislation unveiled in Parliament today judges will be required to impose minimum 14-year terms on offenders convicted of a range of serious terrorist crimes that fall short of attracting life sentences.

Automatic early release will also be ended for some other terror convicts. At the same time, it will become easier to place a person under “Tpim” curbs such as curfews and exclusion from London with the restrictions potentially lasting indefinitely instead of only up to two years.

The changes are being introduced in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the Fishmonger’s Hall and Streatham attacks in London within the past year.

Both were carried out by freed terror convicts – Usman Khan, 28, on London Bridge in November and Sudesh Amman, 20, in south London in February – who had been released automatically after relatively short prison terms.

Armed police at the scene in Streatham High Road
PA

Announcing the new laws today, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The shocking attacks at Fishmongers’ Hall and Streatham revealed serious flaws in the way terrorist offenders are dealt with.

"We promised to act and today we are delivering on that promise.”

But Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, counter terrorism policing’s senior national coordinator, said that while officers supported changes to the law which helped protect the public, deradicalisation and diversion was even more critical.

He added: “The new powers would only be used against a small number of the most dangerous terrorist offenders, and we need to focus just as much attention on the only strategy which attempts to divert people away from violent extremism altogether - Prevent.

“Whether Prevent is attempting to stop someone following a path towards terrorism, or hoping to rehabilitate and de-radicalise those who have already been convicted, it is our best hope in reducing the threat in the long term.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT