Renewed counter-terrorism strategy designed to “strengthen UK’s response”

For more than two decades now, the CONTEST strategy has sought to reduce the threat of terrorism in the UK and to the nation’s interests overseas.

CONTEST 2023 sets out the UK’s bolstered approach to a domestic terrorist risk that’s once again rising and becoming increasingly less predictable. The updated strategy also addresses a persistent and evolving overseas threat from Islamist groups, so too the exploitation of technology by terrorists.

CONTEST 2023 will continue to counter the threat at every stage across Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare – from protecting against and mitigating the impact of terrorist attacks through to stopping individuals from becoming terrorists by curtailing radicalising influences.

Islamist terrorism is currently the largest terrorist threat faced by the UK in volume terms, comprising as it does circa 75% of MI5’s caseload. Extreme right-wing terrorism almost exclusively represents the remaining threat.

Across ideologies, the threat is dominated by individuals or small groups acting outside of organised terrorist groups, thereby making it harder to detect and investigate.

Building upon existing partnerships across Government, policing and the intelligence agencies, as well as with the private sector, public and international partners, CONTEST 2023 sets out a clear vision for an “agile, integrated and aligned” approach. A collective and co-ordinated response will ensure the nation has all of the necessary levers at its disposal to combat modern threats.

Counter-Terrorism Operations Centre

The plans in place include fully operationalising the Counter-Terrorism Operations Centre and bringing together teams, data and technology to more efficiently and effectively identify, investigate and disrupt terrorists.

There’s also a keen focus on delivering William Shawcross’ Independent Review of Prevent and implementing the recommendations therein to help stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. This includes improvements in terms of the authorities’ ability to detect and counter radicalising influences which spread extremist ideology.

Better connecting the counter-terrorism system with expertise in healthcare, education, social services and the criminal justice system is also vital in order to ensure a broader range of interventions that divert individuals away from terrorism or mitigate the threat posed by a potential terrorist.

Acting upon the findings of the Manchester Arena Inquiry to close vulnerabilities in the response to terrorist attacks is hugely important, of course. In parallel, the implementation of Martyn’s Law to ensure better protection for people in public places is very much in the spotlight.

Tackling terrorist exploitation of the Internet through engagement with tech companies and delivering the Online Safety Bill are key goals for the Government, as is the desire to deepen international counter-terrorism partnerships, including with the US, other ‘Five Eyes’ members and European partners. There’s a desire to align strategic approaches in order to maximise the effectiveness of existing capabilities and develop new ones.

Strengthening the UK border through the Future Border and Immigration System Programme will make the border a critical line of defence against terrorism. Continuing to place victims and survivors at the heart of counter-terrorism policy by fully understanding their lived experiences and by reviewing and reforming the support afforded to them is also a main priority.

Transformational changes

Home Secretary Suella Braverman observed: “Any death or injury resulting from terrorism is a tragedy, while the impact on survivors, witnesses and wider society is immeasurable. The terrorism risk we face today is rising and becoming harder to detect. This is why the transformational changes and vital partnerships set out in CONTEST 2023 will modernise our approach and make us all safer. The safety and security of our people is the leading duty of Government. Terrorism will not prevail.”

Matt Jukes, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, noted: “The Counter-Terrorism Operations Centre is a clear marker of the continued collective commitment to tackle the enduring terrorist threat. Our mission to keep the public safe cannot be achieved by one organisation alone. On that note, we’re very pleased that CONTEST underlines the importance of collaboration.”

Dukes continued: “Together with our partners, Counter Terrorism Policing will always strive to enhance our response, keeping the safety of the public at the very heart of our efforts.”

Further, Dukes stated: “While sustained counter-terrorism pressure from the UK and its allies has suppressed the most serious terrorist threats, Islamist terrorist groups based abroad are persistent and evolving. Their capabilities remain far below earlier peaks, but there are signs of resurgence by groups such as Daesh and al-Qa’ida, which continue to seek to plan and enable attacks in western nations, among them the UK. Our global relationships provide a foundation upon which we can jointly address the risks posed by international terrorism.”

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly explained: “Our approach to countering terrorist threats is having an impact. Alongside our allies, we’ve suppressed a great number of the most serious threats in the last five years. We continue to adapt our approach to tackling the evolving and enduring threats. The UK will continue to work in close collaboration with key allies to tackle these new threats and safeguard the population.”

Developed by the Home Office

CONTEST 2023 has been developed by the Home Office, working with a range of Government departments, the police service and the intelligence agencies.

Terrorism experts, academics, public organisations, the private sector and members of the general public were all consulted widely in order to provide insight and challenge and ensure that CONTEST continues to robustly defend the public from the terrorist threat.

*Read the 74-page document entitled CONTEST 2023 - The United Kingdom’s Strategy for Countering Terrorism by visiting the Home Office website