Data released on terrorism arrests

New data from the Homes office shows that there were 255 terrorism-related arrests between 01 January and 31 December 2025, an increase of 2 per cent compared with the previous year’s 250.

This figure does not include the 2,779 arrests for proscription offences relating to Palestine Action, due to the ongoing Judicial Review and subsequent appeal. 

39 people under the age of 17 were arrested n connection with counter terrorism investigations in 2025, a decrease of just one from 40 the previous year.  

92 per cent of those arrested were men and boys.

At the end of 2025, there were 267 people in custody for terrorism and terrorism connected offences in Great Britain; this is the highest number since comparable records began.

Since the start of 2020, Counter Terrorism Policing and UK Intelligence Services have disrupted 19 late–stage attacks. 

Countering state threats now accounts for more than 20 per cent of CTP casework and demand on the War Crimes Team has increased by 50 per cent since 2020.

Senior National Coordinator for Prevent and Pursue at Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, said: “The latest statistics are a stark reminder of  the enduring threat of terrorism, and how important it is that we continue to detect and disrupt plots against our communities.  

“During 2025 we saw some significant results through the courts, with life sentences handed out to those who had planned the most atrocious attacks but were thankfully foiled by the efforts of Counter Terrorism Policing officers and staff. One of these was the conviction of three men in December 2025 following a foiled plot to attack the Jewish community in Manchester; they were sentenced in January this year, with two of them receiving life sentences.   

“Another included a man given a life sentence with a minimum of 16 years for planning an attack against a mosque and a bookshop in the city; another involved three men who were part of an online extreme right-wing group who discussed targets for harassment and attacks, including mosques, Islamic Education centres and synagogues. They were sentenced to a combined 29 years in prison, while another case saw a man sentenced to 15 years for sharing Daesh propaganda and encouraging terrorism.  

“A clear marker of this successful activity is the record number of people in custody for terrorism related offences at the end of 2025.  

“Our teams work with security services to do incredible things every day to stop the horror of terrorism spilling on our streets, and today’s figures are a snapshot of those efforts.”