UK Terror-Arrest Charges At Record High

Figures released by the Home Office show that the number of people arrested in Britain for terrorism, and subsequently charged with a criminal offence, is at its highest level.

In 2012-13, some 105 people arrested for terrorism offences were charged, but only 37 of those charges were for terror-related offences Subsequently, 23 have been convicted of an offence, with 13 still awaiting trial, while one case did not proceed.

To date, 17 of those convicted have been sentenced, with 16 sent to prison and one receiving a hospital order. None of those jailed received a life sentence.

The remaining 68 were charged under other legislation.

In total, 249 arrests were made, which is an increase of 21% on the previous year.

In the same period, 39 people previously jailed for terrorism offences were released.

The figures, published by the Home Office, also show five terror suspects were held in custody before charge for longer than seven days, while three were held for the maximum 14-day period.

Elsewhere, the statistics reveal that between September 2001 and August 2012, 2,297 people have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.

Just over 46% of these were Muslims, while 47% were of "unknown" religion.

The remaining were of other religions or no religion.

(JP/CD)