Patterns of Lone Attackers

Abstract

Lone attackers have attracted considerable attention from the media, policy

makers and academics. This is partly due to the terrorist attacks Europe

faced in the last couple of years executed by—seemingly—lone attackers.

Academic research has explored topics like the demarcation between lone attackers and terrorist cells or networks, typologies of lone attackers, the motivation of lone attackers, and—lately—the attack patterns of lone actors. This chapter will analyse the changed understanding of lone actor violence and discuss possible preventive approaches.