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Terrorism and extremism risk levels

Updated

Terrorism and extremism refer to:

  • Threats of terrorism, including the use of weapons, bombings, biological attacks, kidnappings and executions.
  • Glorification or promotion of terrorist activity as rational, morally just, or a duty.
  • Encouraging others to intimidate or carry out violence for political, ideological or religious aims.
  • Encouraging others to demonise those outside their ideological sphere by using political or religious propaganda.
Risk Level Description

1

The user:

  • Broadly researched terrorist attacks once recently.
  • Typed the name or identifiers of a terrorist or extremist group, without a clear academic or benign cause.

2

The user:

  • Made broad statements that conveyed hatred and distrust towards certain sections of society.
  • Has been promoting sources of disinformation that align with terrorist or extremist ideologies.

3

The user:

  • Expressed sympathy for those who have committed acts of terrorism or condoned terrorist activity.
  • Stated a desire to see non-imminent harm or death inflicted on sections of society, but did not issue direct threats.
  • Posted or distributed terrorist or extremist propaganda.

4

The user:

  • Threatened, without specific details, to seriously harm or kill members of the public.
  • Stated or implied that committing acts of terrorism for a cause is a duty or morally justifiable.
  • Posted or distributed terrorist or extremist propaganda several times recently.
  • Has been involved in conversations or activities that may suggest they are being groomed to join a terrorist or extremist organisation.

5

The user:

  • Made a detailed or imminent, credible threat, or prepared to cause serious harm or death to members of the general public.
  • Claims responsibility for a terrorist attack that has already taken place.
  • Researched or advised on how to find and join terrorist groups.
  • Offered active encouragement or reward for attacks by others, including league tables or ratings.

  Note

A Level 5 alert in this category will prompt phone calls to Safeguarding Contacts.