Scottish prosecutors received 103 reports of support for proscribed group Palestine Action by end of February this year. These account for more than half of 193 total terrorism support charges lodged in Scotland since the Terrorism Act 2000. The remaining 93 charges include 66 linked to banned Northern Ireland loyalist groups such as Ulster Volunteer Force, Ulster Freedom Fighters and Red Hand Commando.

One man received prosecution after police found him with an Ulster Volunteer Force flag during an orange walk in Glasgow in 2023. A woman in Livingston faced a fine for displaying an Ulster Volunteer Force flag at her house while singing songs with lyrics supporting the group.

Dr Aaron Edwards of Royal Military Academy Sandhurst stated loyalist groups maintain paramilitary command structures in Belfast, Derry and Portadown. He said these groups engage in extortion from businesses, taxing drug dealers, threats and intimidation in low-income areas.

Professor Dominic Bryan of Queen’s University Belfast noted flute bands travel between Scotland and Northern Ireland in summer months. He said police in Scotland and the Orange Order there enforce stricter rules on paramilitary flags than in Northern Ireland.

In Northern Ireland, 94 prosecutions occurred under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act between 2015 and 2025. Of these, 83 involved republican groups and 11 involved loyalist organisations.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland stated it remains committed to safeguarding people and property while acting against offenders.