The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 came into force on 12 April, extending extra-territorial jurisdiction for a number of terrorism offences, including inviting support for a proscribed organisation and making or possessing explosives for the purposes of carrying out an act of terrorism.
Among its provisions was also a new measure to deter activity and threat coming from the so-called foreign fighters.
Stricter laws to tackle terrorism have today come into force. Measures include longer sentences for several terrorism offences and the ending of automatic early release for convicted terrorists.
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) April 12, 2019
Read more: https://t.co/NdFzAWPZfg pic.twitter.com/WL4MTkIrdP
The Home Secretary can designate an area, pending parliament's approval, in order to use the power to criminalise travelling to a set location. An individual found to have entered or remained in a designated area could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
"These new laws give the police the powers they need to disrupt terrorist plots earlier and ensure that those who seek to do us harm face just punishment. As we saw in the deadly attacks in London and Manchester in 2017, the threat from terrorism continues to evolve and so must our response, which is why these vital new measures have been introduced," Sajid Javid said.
Once identified, the "designated areas" list of terror hotspots, could include Syria, where many British citizens have travelled in the past years to join Daesh fighters. Most recently examples, highlighted by the media, were that of British Daesh bride Shamima Begum and an NHS doctor, suspected of ties to Daesh, Muhammad Saqib Raza.
Exemptions to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 have included protection of individual who have a legitimate reason for being in a designated area or conducting research online, such as journalists.
In 2017, the United Kingdom suffered five terrorist attacks in Westminster, the Manchester Arena, London Bridge, Finsbury Park and Parsons Green, with 36 people losing their lives and dozens injured.
Terror attacks are rare, but being prepared and knowing what to do can keep you, your friends, and family safe.
— Counter Terrorism Policing UK (@TerrorismPolice) April 11, 2019
RUN, if you can't run HIDE, once safe TELL the police.
Report any potential threats online 📲 https://t.co/AZvXoV84Qg#ActionCountersTerrorism pic.twitter.com/wFJ8u1qcHO
Under the new legislation, the Home Office will attempt to remedy the mistakes of the past, outlined by the 2018 Intelligence and Security Committee report. According to the officials, the perpetrator of the Manchester Arena bombing, Salman Abedi had been flagged for review, but MI5's systems were too slow to review him, which allowed the terrorist to execute the attack on 22 May 2017.
READ MORE: MI5 Made Mistakes Ahead of Manchester Bombing — Report
