What is Terrorism

This article contains information & advice regarding risks that do not appear on the Risk Register.

Unrated Terrorism

The Terrorism Act 2000 defines terrorism both inside and outside of the UK, as the use or threat of one or more of the actions listed below, and where they are designed to influence the government, or an international governmental organisation or to intimidate the public. The use or threat must also be for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.

The specific actions included are:

serious violence against a person;
serious damage to property;
endangering a person's life (other than that of the person committing the action);
creating a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public; and
action designed to seriously interfere with or seriously to disrupt an electronic system.

The use or threat of action, as set out above, which involves the use of firearms or explosives is terrorism regardless of whether or not the action is designed to influence the government or an international governmental organisation or to intimidate the public or a section of the public.

Above definition is from the CPS: Terrorism | The Crown Prosecution Service (cps.gov.uk)

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Types of Terrorism

The types of terrorism range depending on what country and area you live in, however some of the common types are described below. In addition to these, in recent times we have seen a number of what is known as self-initiated terrorist attacks. These are people who threaten or gravitate to violence without support or direction from a terrorist organisation, but who might be encouraged or influenced by the ideology of a group.

Type		Description
Political		Violent behaviour to create fear in the community for political purposes.
	Nationalism		Form of terrorism motivated by nationalism. It is often linked to national, religious, ethnic or an identifying group that feels oppressed or denied rights.
	Religious Extremism		Terrorism that is used to achieve certain religious goals – often influenced by religious beliefs.
	Right-wing Terrorism		Motivated by far-right or right wing ideologies. It is motivated by neo-Nazism, anti-communism, religious nationalism and anti-government beliefs.
	Left-wing Terrorism		The aim is to overthrow capitalist systems (private ownership) and replacing them with communist or socialist societies.
Non-political		Not aimed for political purposes but designed to create fear for coercive purposes. End is an individual or collective achievement rather than a political one.
Anonymous		Terrorism attacks that have not been claimed by an individual or group.
Official or State		Nations whose ruling is based on oppression and fear.