UK – New law needed for Southport-type attacks, says terror watchdog

A new offence to cover lone individuals planning non-terrorist mass killings should be considered in the wake of the Southport attacks, the UK’s terror watchdog has said.

The independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, suggested the offence, similar to that of preparing an act of terrorism, should have a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

However, he said the definition of terrorism should not be expanded or changed as it could lead to “the prosecution of people who by no stretch of the imagination are terrorists”.

Axel Rudakubana stabbed six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Aguiar to death at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday class.

Terrorist material was found at Rudakubana’s house, but police found no clear ideological reason for his attack so it was not classified as terrorism.

Read more: BBC News