It supersedes and repeals the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 and the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996.

Table of contents

1 Definition of terrorism 2 Related topics 3 External links

Definition of terrorism

Terrorism is defined, in the first section of the Act, as follows:

section 1. -

(1) In this Act "terrorism" means the use or threat of action where-

(a) the action falls within subsection (2),

(b) the use or threat is designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public or a section of the public, and

(c) the use or threat is made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause.

(2) Action falls within this subsection if it-

(a) involves serious violence against a person,

(b) involves serious damage to property,

(c) endangers a person's life, other than that of the person committing the action,

(d) creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public, or

(e) is designed seriously to interfere with or seriously to disrupt an electronic system.

Section 1 goes on to give the Act worldwide scope:

• an "action" can be anywhere in the world,
• "the government" is that of any country, not just the UK, and
• "the public" is the public of any country.