British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that the country faces a new threat from terrorism, citing the recent events in Southport. He said that the attack, which left three young girls dead, was a signal that terrorism had changed.

Speaking at a press conference the day after 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty to murder, the Prime Minister stressed that there was now a wave of lone wolf violence in addition to the traditional terrorist groups. He said these individuals, often young and isolated, were influenced by online content and were seeking notoriety through violent acts.

Starmer added that if legislation needed to be changed to combat this new threat, the government was prepared to do so immediately. He also announced the appointment of a new independent commissioner for the prevention of terrorism to improve the country’s counter-extremism system. 

After Rudakubana was found guilty, it emerged that he had already been through the Prevent, the government’s anti-radicalisation programme, three times in the 17 months before the attack due to concerns about his violent tendencies. However, no decision was made to intervene at that time.