The threat of terrorism in the UK is likely to be amplified by a shortened cycle of conviction, custodial sentence and release of prisoners, according to a report from Pool Re, which is warning businesses to strengthen resilience.

The terrorist attacks that took place in 2017 have led to a lower tolerance for risk within counter-terrorism investigations, which could result in earlier plot disruptions, leading to weaker evidential yields which would not be enough to convict suspects of the more serious terrorist offences that attract longer jail terms. This, Pool Re warns, would lead to quicker release from prison; and thus, the cycle of conviction, sentencing and imprisonment would be shortened, so amplifying the terrorism threat to business and people in the UK.

Pool Re's latest report examines the threat posed by those convicted terrorists who have already been released, or are soon to be, and considers the practical steps some businesses are taking to protect their assets, employees and the continuity of their operations.

The release of convicted terrorists – recently or in the near future – will keep the current UK terrorism threat level at ‘severe’ for a prolonged period. Such individuals include al Muhajiroun co-founder Anjem Choudary, Erol Incedal and members of the al Qaeda cell who attempted to bring down transatlantic planes with liquid explosives in 2006.

Chief executive of Pool Re, Julian Enoizi, said plot disruptions are at a high level and the preparation of attacks is likely to continue. “The private sector should mitigate risk by reducing the likelihood of being caught up in an attack, and be prepared to recover quickly if attacks do occur. At Pool Re, we stand ready to help strengthen economic resilience by covering non-damage business interruption as soon as the legislation, currently going through Parliament, is passed.”

Pool Re was formed in 1993 by the insurance industry and the UK government in the wake of the IRA bombing campaign on the UK mainland. Structured as a commercial reinsurer, Pool Re is a mutual whose member insurers comprise the vast majority of insurers and Lloyd’s Syndicates which offer commercial property insurance in Great Britain.


Terrorism Frequency Report (Source: Pool Re)

Pool Re’s 'Terrorism Frequency Report' analyses the risk landscape of the UK and internationally,focusing on the ‘post-Caliphate’ generation of extremists. It documents the experience of Canary Wharf’s intelligence and security specialists who responded to the elevated threat following attacks across the UK in 2017 by assessing terrorist tactics, Islamist extremist propaganda and the possible use of chemical weapons.

Security measures, planning, training and public education were enhanced considerably following these assessments – for example training private security teams how to recognise the smell of chemicals which may be used in a terrorist attack.

Readers can download the report here.

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