Terrorism-related arrest figures rise sharply — but 94% were linked to Palestine Action
A major increase in terrorism-related arrests needs important context: 3,630 of the 3,867 arrests recorded were linked to supporting Palestine Action.
By Keep Updated UK Newsroom
Published:
Official figures show a dramatic rise
The Home Office says police recorded 3,867 arrests for terrorism-related activity in Great Britain in the year ending June 2026, compared with 234 in the preceding 12 months. That represents a rise of 1,553%, according to official statistics published on 8 October.
However, the headline number does not tell the full story. The same release says 3,630 arrests — 94% of the total — were connected with supporting Palestine Action following the group's proscription on 5 July 2025.
Why the breakdown matters
Excluding arrests linked to supporting Palestine Action, the Home Office recorded 237 other terrorism-related arrests across the year. That is close to the previous year's overall total of 234.
It would therefore be misleading to present the 1,553% increase as though it directly measured a similar rise in attacks, violent plots or convictions. The data captures arrests categorised as terrorism-related, including cases that can later result in different outcomes.
What happened after arrests?
The Home Office says 704 of the 3,867 arrests had resulted in charges by the point at which the underlying data was compiled, including 634 charges under sections 12 or 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 connected with supporting Palestine Action. Many other cases remained at the bail or investigation stage.
The release says 46 people aged 17 or younger were arrested for terrorism-related activity during the year, while the number of people held in custody for terrorism or terrorism-connected offences reached 275. These measures cover different populations and should not be added together.
Reading the statistics responsibly
The annual totals reflect policing activity, legislation and decisions about classification as well as underlying threats. The Home Office also warns that outcomes can change as investigations and prosecutions progress.
The key conclusion from the figures is not that one number tells the whole story, but that readers need both the total and the Palestine Action breakdown to understand what changed during the period.
Sources & Further Information
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