White terrorism arrests highest for third successive year

New Home Office data shows that the number of white terror suspects being arrested in Britain has outstripped those of any other ethnic group for the third year in a row.

The figures show that 89 white people were arrested on suspicion of terror offences in 2020, compared with 63 Asian suspects, 15 black suspects and 18 of other ethnicities.

Of those arrested, 81 per cent considered themselves to be of British or British dual nationality, the highest proportion on record.

But the overall number of terror arrests dropped by a third to 185, the lowest figure in nine years.

Last month, officials lowered the UK’s terror threat level to substantial, meaning further attacks are deemed likely rather than ‘highly’ likely.

A Home Office document said: “The proportion of white people arrested exceeded the proportion of Asian people arrested for the third consecutive year. Arrests of persons of white ethnic appearance accounted for 48 per cent of arrests, up seven percentage points on the previous year. Those of Asian ethnic appearance accounted for 34 per cent of terrorist-related arrests, down five percentage points.

“The reductions were most evident in arrests under non-terrorism legislation and may reflect the general reduction in crime during this period when there were public health restrictions in place.”