Newspaper column 19 August 2021 - Plymouth

This past Thursday we had the most devastating news from Plymouth as, in a tragic incident, a gunman murdered five people, including a three year old child, injuring others before killing himself.

This was deeply shocking and my condolences go to the families of all involved as well as to the wider Plymouth community.

Thanks also to our emergency services, who responded to the developing situation quickly and professionally.

We are fortunate in the UK that mass-shootings such as this are relatively rare – however one is too many and it is only right that we now take the time to investigate how this tragic event occurred.

With the ongoing investigation in mind, it is apparent that the shooter, based on social media content that he recently posted, shared views with, and may have been inspired by, and radicalised by, the so-called ‘Incel’ movement.

Incels are people, usually young men, who are “involuntarily celibate” and blame women for depriving them of sex. They often hate people in relationships, and in extreme cases they advocate violence or “retribution”. They have been linked to at least six mass shootings in America.

If this is the case, then we must as a country, have a conversation about the nature of online radicalisation. I have written earlier this year about the Government’s work in calling for evidence to help inform the development of their next Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.

The Incel movement represents a very real threat to women and girls – promoting and encouraging chauvinistic and ultimately violent behaviour towards them from young men, and in this context there certainly is a real case to be made for ensuring forums that promotes this sort of behaviour and could lead to similar incidents such as we have sadly see occur in Plymouth this past week happen again the future, be monitored in the same way other platforms that promote and nurture terroristic behaviour are by our security services.

Turning to the immediate aftermath of last week’s incident, there is a dedicated Devon and Cornwall Police number  -  01752 487880 for anyone wishing to speak with the police with information regarding the shooting.   Victim Support are also providing support for anyone affected with support available 24/7 either by phone or webchat.  If you have been affected by the tragic incident in Plymouth, there is help available.  Victim Support provide practical and emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  You can speak to a specialist by calling 08081 689111 or by visiting victimsupport.org.uk

Finally, I should also add that following the quickly developing circumstances in Afghanistan over the weekend, Parliament has been recalled to debate the situation on Wednesday. This debate is happening after I have submitted this column so I cannot tell what the outcome will be, however it is a very difficult situation with no easy or quick answers, one that requires international co-operation in order to achieve any sort of lasting solution.

As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698. I have now restarted my regular constituency advice surgeries, held in a covid-safe environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.