Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been prosecuted for offences in relation to actions (a) in relation to the war while in Syria and (b) in relation to fighting in Syria after returning to the UK.

As of June 2018, approximately 40 individuals have been convicted on their return from Syria/Iraq, either because of offences committed overseas or for other activity linked to their involvement in terrorism. The convictions are for a range of offences and are not limited to offences covered by terrorism legislation. In some cases, the individuals in question may not know they have been investigated and prosecuted (for non-terrorist offences) because of their engagement in terrorism. I am therefore unable to go into further details of specific offences or sentences received.

The safety and security of our country, our people and our communities remains the Government’s number one priority.Around 900 people of national security concern travelled from the UK to engage in the conflict in Syria and Iraq. Of these, approximately 20% have been killed while overseas, and around 40% have returned to the UK.The majority of those who have returned did so in the earlier stages of the conflict, and were investigated on their return. A significant proportion of these individuals are assessed as no longer being of national security concern.

Everyone – male or female, of any age – who returns from taking part in the conflict in Syria or Iraq must expect to be investigated by the police to determine if they have committed criminal offences, and to ensure that they do not pose a threat to our national security.