Value and Effectiveness of the Public Health Approach in Threat Assessment of Targeted Violence - CANCELLED

• In Event: Government Responses to Terrorism Across the Globe

Abstract

Many question both whether a safeguarding objective is valuable or appropriate in counterterrorism threat assessment, and whether it is effectively carried out. Due to lacking data availability for terrorism, this study evaluates safeguarding in the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC): the UK’s first joint health-police unit, and the blueprint for applying the public health approach to threat assessment. FTAC catalyses treatment to those with illnesses insufficiently identified or treated by mainstream services, so we focus on the concept of unmet mental health needs. Results imply FTAC does safeguard individuals referred. Referrals with unmet needs are disproportionately directed to mental health-based interventions, resulting in lower concern levels. Safeguarding is also useful for violence prevention; those with unmet needs are a disproportionately disruptive and concerning subgroup, with higher likelihood of approach, problematic approach, and breaching of security barriers. These do not apply equally to all referrals; for the delusion-motivated, unmet needs are more effectively safeguarded, but the grievance-motivated with unmet needs exhibit particularly concerning behaviours. Overall, findings support FTAC’s use and fulfilment of the public health approach, and suggest a key role for unmet needs in research and risk assessment. The same questions must next be applied to counterterrorism threat assessment units.

Author

• Amber Seaward, University College London