By Emeka Blast 
Cooper Promises Crackdown Law on Violent, Obsessive Offenders
Speaking to the BBC, Cooper emphasized that the new law would enable police to apprehend violence-obsessed individuals before they act, mirroring powers used against terror suspects. “There is a gap in the law around the planning of mass attacks that can be just as serious as terrorism in their impact on communities,” she said. “We will tighten legislation so that is taken as seriously as terrorism.” The proposal implements a recommendation from Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, who reviewed the Southport case and advised against expanding the definition of terrorism. Instead, Hall proposed a new offence for non-ideological mass attack planning, driven by personal grievances or a fixation on violence.
The Southport attack exposed weaknesses in the counter-extremism Prevent programme, as Rudakubana had been referred but not followed up due to his lack of ideological motivation. Cooper highlighted a growing “pattern” of teenagers radicalizing online, stating, “We’re seeing violent fixated individuals, often with no clear ideology, drawn into extreme violence in their bedrooms through a distorted online world.” She cited cases like Nicholas Prosper, who planned a mass school shooting before being apprehended for unrelated crimes, underscoring the need for broader legal powers.
The planned offence, first outlined in March but detailed this week, would allow police to act early against those researching or preparing attacks, even without ties to banned terrorist groups. Social media reactions on X are mixed, with @dave43law calling it “long overdue” but @torysmasher warning of “badly worded laws” risking overreach. @dark_wrap criticized past failures, noting, “The victims have already bled.”
