Do you think that the far right are good sorts?
To answer your question - Not as many as other radical groups (yet) but they're still a significant threat:
Overview of Far-Right Terror and Violence in the UK
Far-right terrorism and violence have become a significant and evolving threat in the UK, with attacks, plots, and hate crimes linked to extreme right-wing ideologies. The nature of this threat has shifted over time, moving from organised groups to a more dispersed, online-driven phenomenon, often involving self-initiated individuals.
Key Statistics and Trends
Number of Attacks: Between 1999 and 2022, there were 14 attacks in the UK linked to extreme right-wing ideology, with all but two carried out by individuals rather than organised groups5.
Recent Attacks: Since 2017, three far-right terrorist attacks have occurred in the UK:
2017: Darren Osborne drove a van into worshippers outside Finsbury Park Mosque in London, killing one and injuring ten64.
2019: A white supremacist stabbed a man in Stanwell, Surrey, a day after the Christchurch attacks6.
2022: A 66-year-old man attacked an immigration centre in Dover using fire, injuring two staff members6.
Disrupted Plots: Since 2017, UK authorities have disrupted 37 “late stage” terror plots, with about one-third linked to the extreme far-right2.
Arrests and Prosecutions: Hundreds of arrests have been made in connection with far-right riots and violence, particularly following high-profile incidents such as the Southport stabbings in July 2024, which triggered coordinated far-right unrest in at least 20 towns and cities1.
Prevent Referrals: Referrals to the UK’s Prevent programme for individuals of all ages relating to the extreme far-right increased by 35% from April 2016 to March 2022. Among those aged 51-60 and 61+, referrals increased by 109% and 58%, respectively, peaking in 2020-212.
Nature and Characteristics of Far-Right Violence
Attack Methods: Most far-right attacks in the UK have involved low-sophistication methods, such as vehicles, knives, blunt force weapons, or arson564.
Targets: Attacks and violence have primarily targeted minority groups (especially Muslims and Jews), government sites, media organisations, and others perceived as opposed to far-right worldviews54.
Demographics: While authorities often focus on young men as the main risk group, recent completed attacks have predominantly been carried out by older men (over 47), although disrupted plots have included younger individuals2.
Online Radicalisation: The threat is increasingly driven by online spaces, with far-right ideologues using social media and websites to radicalise and mobilise individuals, including minors548.
Broader Context and Hate Crime
Hate Crime Trends: Hate crimes, often linked to far-right extremism, saw a 5% decrease in police-recorded incidents in England and Wales in 2022/23, the first drop since 2013. However, spikes occur during periods of geopolitical tension, such as after the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023 or the Southport stabbings in 20247.
Violent Disorder: Far-right riots and violent protests have affected at least 20 UK towns and cities since July 2024, with violence directed at properties, buildings, and individuals, particularly Muslims1.
Government Response
Proscription of Groups: Since 2016, the UK has banned five extreme right-wing terrorist groups, all holding white supremacist ideologies6.
MI5 Involvement: In 2018, MI5 took over responsibility for countering extreme right-wing terrorism, reflecting its growing significance alongside Islamist terrorism5.
Public Concern: As of August 2024, 73% of Britons expressed concern about right-wing extremism, up 11 percentage points since March 20245.
Summary Table: Key Far-Right Terrorism Statistics (UK)
Metric
Statistic/Detail
Attacks (1999-2022)
14, mostly by individuals5
Recent Attacks (since 2017)
3 (Finsbury Park 2017, Stanwell 2019, Dover 2022)6
Disrupted Plots (since 2017)
37, ~1/3 linked to far-right2
Prevent Referrals (2016-22)
+35% overall; +109% (51-60); +58% (61+)2
Proscribed Groups (since 2016)
5 (all white supremacist)6
Public Concern (Aug 2024)
73% worried about right-wing extremism5
Hate Crime (2022/23)
5% decrease from previous year7
Towns/Cities Affected (2024)
20+ by far-right riots/disorder1
Conclusion
Extreme right-wing terrorism and violence remain a persistent and evolving threat in the UK. While the overall number of attacks is lower than other forms of terrorism, the threat is significant, with a trend toward self-initiated, low-tech attacks, and a growing role for online radicalisation. Public concern is high, and authorities continue to adapt their response as the threat landscape shifts561.