Terrorism in the UK and the rule of law

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by The Guardian

More than two years have passed since the last significant terrorist attack on British soil, the attempted bombing of Glasgow airport, but the task of monitoring, containing and convicting possible terrorist suspects remains immensely difficult. Yesterday's conviction of three men accused of plotting to blow up airliners heading across the Atlantic from Heathrow was both a huge and welcome success for the security services and a reminder that the possibility of vast, deadly attacks is very serious. Because many trials, including the latest one, have taken place unreported while failed raids, most notoriously at Forest Gate, have occurred in full view, some have come to underestimate the genuine nature of the threat. Conversely, ministers and police chiefs have put too much effort into symbolic campaigns to toughen up anti-terror laws. Yesterday's verdicts, among many others in recent terror trials, shows that the law works as it is. Strategy and resources matter much more than legislation.

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Terrorism: The rule of law | Comment is free | The Guardian