The number of female terrorists in Britain has tripled in the last five years, according to a new study.
Research published by the London-based think tank the Henry Jackson Society in a paper titled “Islamist Terrorism, Analysis of Offences and Attacks in the UK 1998 – 2015” stated that women’s involvement in terrorism has increased and, overall, offenders are getting younger, with almost half of all offences were carried out by people under the age of 25. Islamist related offences were mainly carried out by individuals who were raised as Muslim, but one in six offenders was a convert.
The offences cited include plotting to commit murder in the UK, fundraising, and travelling abroad to join Islamic State.
Between 1998 and 2010, women accounted for four per cent of all offences. But between 2011 and 2015 this figure jumped to 11 per cent. The rise in women terrorists has coincided with the emergence of Islamic State.
Overall, 72 per cent of offences were committed by UK nationals or those with dual nationality. Most had ties to South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
Astonishingly, three boroughs in East London and two boroughs in Birmingham have produced more than a third of Islamic terrorists since 1998.
Hannah Stuart, the report’s author, said: “The major threat continues to be homegrown, and females are playing an ever increasing role.”
The findings came as Mark Rowley, Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner, revealed that another major terrorist plot in Britain has been foiled in the last six months.
Trends noted in the study include rises in intended beheadings and stabbings.
