Review Finds Failures in Handling of Southport Killer's Anti-Terror Referrals

Axel Rudakubana's case was prematurely closed multiple times despite evidence of violent tendencies and interest in terror attacks, prompting government reforms.

Axel Rudakubana, who murdered three young girls in Southport, had been referred to the Prevent counter-terrorism program three times between 2019 and 2021.
A Home Office review found that Rudakubana's anti-terror case was closed prematurely, with authorities failing to escalate him to the Channel multi-agency program for intervention.
The review criticized a narrow focus on the absence of a clear ideology, overlooking Rudakubana's violent behavior, repeated referrals, and interest in terror-related content.
The government has accepted 14 recommendations from the review, including reforms to improve Prevent's processes and oversight by a newly appointed independent Prevent commissioner.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans for a public inquiry and proposed new youth diversion orders to mandate interventions for individuals resisting voluntary anti-terror programs.