Online radicalisation: profile and risk analysis of individuals convicted of extremist offences

Kenyon, J., Binder, J. ORCID: 0000-0002-1083-7109 and Baker-Beall, C. ORCID: 0000-0003-4641-4463, 2022. Online radicalisation: profile and risk analysis of individuals convicted of extremist offences. Legal and Criminological Psychology. ISSN 1355-3259

[img]
Preview
Text
1540037_Binder.pdf - Post-print

Download (400kB) | Preview

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores socio-demographic profiles and offence histories of 235 individuals convicted of extremist offences in England and Wales who have shown different levels of internet engagement in their pathway towards radicalisation.

Methods: A comprehensive database of those convicted of extremist offences was developed by reviewing and coding content of specialist Structured Risk Guidance (SRG) and Extremism Risk Guidance (ERG22+) assessment reports, authored by professionals with access to a range of restricted information sources and direct contact with the individual concerned. This enabled a comparison of socio-demographic profiles and offence histories for those who radicalised online, those who radicalised offline and those exposed to both online and offline influences. The analyses further integrated formal risk assessments contained in the reports.

Results: Findings show a comparatively small prevalence of exclusive online radicalisation, but some online influence for the majority of all cases. Pronounced variations in the socio-demographic profiles and offence histories for members of each radicalisation pathway group were found. In addition, convicted extremists who radicalised online are assessed as having the lowest overall level of engagement with an extremist group or cause, along with the lowest levels of intent and capability to commit violent extremist acts.

Conclusions: Gaining a better understanding of the prevalence of online radicalisation, and the profiles associated with it, informs the debate on whether extremist content and activities online influence violent extremist behaviour offline and helps to guide counter-terrorism approaches and future policy in this area.

Item Type: Journal article
Publication Title: Legal and Criminological Psychology
Creators: Kenyon, J., Binder, J. and Baker-Beall, C.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 6 May 2022
ISSN: 1355-3259
Identifiers:
NumberType
1540037Other
10.1111/lcrp.12218DOI
Rights: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Kenyon, J., Binder, J., & Baker-Beall, C. Online radicalisation: profile and risk analysis of individuals convicted of extremist offences. Legal and Criminological Psychology, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/lcrp.12218. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Divisions: Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by: Linda Sullivan
Date Added: 26 Apr 2022 13:42
Last Modified: 06 May 2023 03:00
URI: https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/46202

Actions (login required)

Edit View Edit View

Views

Views per month over past year

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year