Prevent and Radicalisation
What is Prevent?
The focus of Prevent is on the significant threat posed by international terrorism and those in the UK who are inspired by it. But it is also concerned with reducing threats, risks and vulnerabilities posed by domestic extremists such as those from the far right and far left, extreme animal rights activists and those involved in Northern Irish related terrorism.
Prevent is supported by three objectives:
- Tackle the ideological causes of terrorism
- Intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation
- Enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate
The Prevent Duty means that we all need to pay ‘due regard’ to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. Essentially, what this means is that we should appropriately consider Prevent when we are going about our day to day work. If you are concerned someone is susceptible to radicalisation and you’ve noticed changes in actions or behaviours, check your information and share it with someone. This could be your safeguarding lead for professionals or alternatively call the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
It might be nothing, but it could be something.
If you suspect it, report it!
Call 999!
Channel Programme
Channel is a voluntary, confidential programme which safeguards people identified as susceptible to being drawn into terrorism.
It is a multi-agency process involving partners from the local authority, the police, education, health providers, and others.
Channel is a support programme - not a criminal sanction.
A Channel referral can come from anyone who is concerned about a person they know who might be at risk of radicalisation, including family members, friends, school leaders, or colleagues.
Channel can offer a number of different types of support, such as:
- help with education and career advice
- dealing with mental or emotional health issues
- dealing with drug or alcohol abuse
- theological or ideological mentoring from a Channel intervention provider (a specialist mentor)
Radicalisation and Social Media
Research has found that 90% of the radicalisation process happens online. There are a range of social media sites that are used by extremists to groom young people. Often social media accounts are easy to set up and sometimes allow the account holder to remain fairly anonymous. Material such as news stories, blogs, pictures, videos and other information can be shared quickly and very widely. On sites such as YouTube, where videos can be hosted, multiple dummy accounts may be set up so that even if a video is taken down, it can be reposted again very fast.
Private messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, Kik, SureSpot and Viber, are also commonly used by extremists to contact children they are grooming. They can be a way of providing very specific information, for example on travel arrangements or what to pack for a journey abroad.
Online Radicalisation Information and Support
This is a difficult time for parents and carer and it is having a significant impact on families. Children are likely to be spending more time online and whilst rare, there are negative influences and online groomers who use online platforms to share there extreme views and ideas. Please click here to find out more information about the signs that someone may need help.
Resources:
National police PREVENT - Contact the advice line to help you share a concern. Action Counters Terrorism website
Get help if you’re worried about someone being radicalised on the Gov.uk website
Prevent Duty Guidance (2023)
Prevent and Countering Extremism in Young People
Tackling Extremism Poster
Education Against Hate