Countering lone-actor terrorism: specification of requirements for potential interventions

Abstract

The author presents the de-classified preliminary findings of the European Commission funded FP7 research project PRIME, dealing with the extremism, radicalization and lone-actor terrorism (also known as “lone wolf terrorism”). The Article provides the partial results of the research devoted to the preparation of portfolio of lone actor extremism counter-measures requirements based on the findings of the review of existing counter-measures used to defend against lone actor extremist events. The Article concludes with a list of recommendations, which shall be considered in order to prevent, interdict and mitigate the threat of lone actor extremism and terrorism and to support public security and safety. These recommendations are based on the extensive consultations with law-enforcement and security services practitioners and Subject Matter Experts of the PRIME Project domain, representing a wide range of areas (police, intelligence, border protection, military, government, civil defence, non-governmental organizations, and the academic community) and different jurisdictions and law practices (several countries of Europe, United States, Canada, India, Japan, Georgia, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand).