Is a new law needed to tackle “lone-wolf” mass killings

Tragedy of Southport Murders sparks calls for a new law.

In the wake of the devastating Southport attacks, the UK’s independent terrorism watchdog has suggested a new legal offence to cover individuals planning mass killings that are not classified as terrorism.

Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has recommended the introduction of an offence similar to preparing an act of terrorism, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The Need for a New Law

Despite the horrific nature of the Southport murders, the attack was not legally defined as terrorism due to the lack of a clear ideological motive.

The perpetrator, Axel Rudakubana, brutally stabbed three young girls—six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Aguiar—at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday class.

He also attempted to murder eight other children and two adults who tried to intervene, including class organiser Leanne Lucas.

Police found terrorist material in Rudakubana’s home, including ricin pulp and an al-Qaeda manual, alongside evidence of his interest in historical atrocities such as the Rwandan genocide, Adolf Hitler, and school massacres.

However, as his attack did not fit the current legal definition of terrorism, authorities were unable to prosecute it as such.

A Growing Threat of Lone-Wolf Violence

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has highlighted an emerging threat of “extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms.”

Hall echoed these concerns, stating that the internet is playing a significant role in radicalising individuals into embracing extreme violence.

The current legal framework does not adequately address the risk posed by individuals meticulously planning mass attacks without a specific ideological motive.

Hall warned that, under existing laws, someone who had handwritten but unshared plans for a massacre could not be prosecuted. This loophole, he argues, presents a serious public safety risk.

What Would the New Law Cover?

Hall has proposed creating an offence that would make it illegal to “engage in any conduct” in preparation for a mass killing involving two or more victims.

This would be similar to the current law on preparing acts of terrorism but tailored specifically for non-terrorist mass casualty attacks.

While considering whether to expand the definition of terrorism to include mass violence without ideological motivation, Hall ultimately rejected this approach.

He warned that redefining terrorism too broadly could lead to wrongful prosecutions, such as targeting gang members or violent football hooligans as terrorists, and could infringe on free speech rights.

Next Steps: What the Government is Doing

The government has indicated that it will amend legislation to incorporate Hall’s recommendations. A spokesperson described his report as “an important step” towards preventing future attacks.

Additionally, Downing Street has acknowledged concerns over the spread of misinformation online. Following the Southport attack, false reports fuelled riots across England and Northern Ireland.

As a result, the Law Commission has been tasked with expediting its review of contempt of court regulations to address how false information circulates.

Who is Responsible for Monitoring Potential Threats?

A key question arising from Hall’s report is who should be responsible for monitoring individuals like Rudakubana—those referred to counter-terrorism programmes like Prevent but not officially classified as extremists.

Hall argues that police, rather than mental health services or other agencies, should take the lead in assessing and mitigating these threats.

He also criticised the lack of clear communication from police in the aftermath of the Southport murders.

In the digital era, he argued, withholding factual information about an attack fuels conspiracy theories and misinformation, creating unnecessary public panic and potentially jeopardising trials.

Final Thoughts

The Southport tragedy has highlighted a worrying legal gap when it comes to preventing lone-wolf mass killings.

While terrorism laws are robust, there is currently no legal framework for prosecuting individuals preparing for non-ideological mass violence.

With the government set to act on Hall’s recommendations, the UK could soon see the introduction of a crucial new law designed to tackle this growing threat.

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