Page 54 - SyI Quarterly 7
P. 54
Our Corporate Partners
security profile. Besides the risks directly the Army garrison in Aldershot, Hampshire,
emanating from the armed conflict, separatists targeting a civilian staff member. The current
maintain checkpoints throughout the region and COVID-19 health crisis, which has exacerbated
have detained or kidnapped individuals, including radicalisation, has been exploited by both jihadist
foreign nationals, on several occasions. A number groups and right-wing extremists, who have
of politically motivated abductions linked to the increased their online presence and recruitment
conflict have also been reported elsewhere in the activities. Though the current movement
country, carried out by pro-Russian elements, or restrictions in many countries in the region may
in some instances, by suspected Russian agents. hinder attacks at present, this could soon change
A similar situation has also been noted in Belarus. when they are lifted. Indeed, extremist groups
such as the Islamic State have recently initiated
While not as common as it was two decades media campaigns calling for Muslims in Western
ago, ‘Tiger’ kidnapping is occasionally recorded countries to carry out lone-wolf attacks as soon
in various countries across Europe. This involves as restrictions ease.
the taking of a hostage to force a relative of
the victim with access to valuables to commit a Conclusions
robbery or another crime. The first recorded Tiger
kidnapping took place in the early 1970s, though Overall, Europe and the rest of the world are
the practice became widespread during the confronting new terrain during the coronavirus
1980s. The tactic was particularly prolific amongst pandemic. The increasing political instability and
crime syndicates in Ireland and the UK, and civil unrest seen across many countries in Europe
was later adopted by gangs in other countries in the last few months will draw valuable policing
in continental Europe, such as Belgium. Small resources away from dealing with organised
businesses with limited security are at particular crime gangs who include kidnapping in their
risk of being targeted in these schemes. activities. Kidnap trends in Europe are unlikely to
move downwards; if anything, the pandemic and
Additionally, the risk of terrorist attacks its repercussions are likely to exacerbate existing
throughout Western Europe remains. Although criminal trends, as economies struggle and more
no actual terror-related kidnappings have been people are drawn into criminality.
reported as yet in the region, it cannot be fully
discounted, particularly as kidnapping is a tactic
commonly used among international jihadist
groups, which regularly call on sleeper cells and
lone wolves to commit attacks on Western soil.
A notable example of this threat was an incident
reported in Norfolk, UK, in late July 2016, when
an RAF serviceman suffered an attempted
kidnapping near the Marham base. Two weeks
later, a second incident was recorded outside
