While the UK and, indeed, most of Europe has been under some form of lockdown over the last 12 months, there has been growing discussion about the detrimental effects of extended isolation and lack of social cohesion. Not just on people’s mental health but on their vulnerability to various forms of extremism.
The head of Wales’ Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU) warned last year that the pandemic could increase the risk of radicalisation among young people. There are fears that the radical Right has spotted an opportunity to align COVID-19 criticism and conspiracy theories with longstanding right-wing tropes and narratives.
Social isolation, or loneliness, is recognised as one of the vulnerabilities that might lead to radicalisation or potential exploitation, according to CONTEST, the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy .
