Prevent Duty (extremism and radicalisation)

CONTEST (UK Counter-terrorism strategy)

Aims to reduce the risk to the UK and its interests overseas from international terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence. The strategy consists of four areas:

• Pursue - to stop terrorist attacks
• Protect - to strengthen protection against terrorist attacks
• Prepare - where an attack cannot be stopped, to mitigate its impact
• Prevent- to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting extremism leading to terrorism

Prevent

Prevent is the Government’s strategy to stop people from becoming involved in, or supporting, terrorism in all its forms. Prevent is safeguarding. In the same way that support is provided to people at risk of involvement with anti-social behaviour, gangs, drugs or other forms of harm, individuals susceptible to being groomed into radicalisation can also be helped. It works with individuals and communities by using voluntary early intervention to encourage them to challenge extremist and terrorist ideology and behaviour.

Prevent is a safety net against radicalisation. It aims to intervene early, to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent deals with all terrorist ideologies, from Islamist to Extreme Right-Wing. Prevent is delivered at a local level by experts who understand the risks in their communities.

Prevent can provide personalised interventions to help people susceptible to radicalisation move away from dangerous ideologies.

 

The Prevent Duty

Introduced by the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.

Requires authorities "in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism".

Local authorities, schools and childcare providers are among the specified authorities.

The aim of Prevent Duty:

• Is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
• Prevent is a national safeguarding programme that supports people who are at risk of becoming involved with terrorism through radicalisation.

Prevent also extends to supporting the rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved in terrorism.

1. Tackle the ideological causes of terrorism.
2. Intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation.
3. Enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate.

Find out more about the Prevent programme (GOV.UK)

 

Making a referral

If you have concerns about an individual, you can make a referral into Prevent.

To do this, please visit Bury.gov.uk - Prevent where you will be able to make an online referral.

If you have any concerns about someone and would like more advice you can contact:

For a pre-discussion and information and guidance around the suitability of submitting a referral for Channel you can contact CTPNW (Counter Terrorism Policing North-West). (CTPNW)

They can advise and support on whether the referral will be appropriate.

• Tel: 0161 856 6362
• Email: project@gmp.police.uk
• Local Authority Prevent team: prevent@bury.gov.uk

Alternatively, contact the police confidentially on the Anti-terrorist hotline 0800 789 321.

If you think the threat is imminent, please call the police immediately on 999.

Any information, advice or concern will be handled with sensitivity and where possible anonymity will be maintained.

If the person is under 18 also send the form to

- childwellbeing@bury.gov.uk

or if they over 18 please send to adultcareservices@bury.gov.uk

 

For more information on the ACT Early support Line, visit Signs of radicalisation- what to look for (ACT Early)

Channel

Some referrals may progress onto the Bury Multi-Agency Channel Panel for support.

Channel is a consent-based safeguarding process for children, young people and adults at risk of being drawn into terrorism or extremism leading to terrorism.

Channel is pre-criminal, meaning anyone who is referred into Channel will not be assigned a criminal record strictly on the basis of them being referred.

Support is tailored by the Channel Panel to ensure individuals receive the support they require.

Myth busting

• Prevent deals with all forms of extremism. It is not about preventing peaceful protest or discouraging debate
• Channel is about safeguarding. It is led by the Council, not the police. It aims to prevent people committing criminal offences and referrals do not result in a criminal record.

Terrorism risk

The threat to British Interests in the UK from International terrorism is substantial which means an attack is likely. This judgement is dynamic and so threat levels increase and decrease in regard to available intelligence, terrorist intentions and possible timescales.

It is hoped that by engaging with vulnerable individuals and referring those at risk of being radicalised into Prevent that overall risk of terrorist activity can be reduced.

 

Prevent duty training: Learn how to support people susceptible to radicalisation

Bury Council have developed a structured tiered training programme which identifies the level required for individuals. Training is online and in person for people working in sectors covered by the Prevent duty, such as:

• education
• health
• local authorities
• police
• criminal justice agencies (prisons, probation, youth justice)

Other sectors that are not covered by the Prevent duty may also complete this training.

Prevent duty training

Prevent training is tiered, based on the role and responsibilities of the staff member. A number of courses are available which cover:

• the Prevent duty
• different extremist ideologies that can lead to terrorism
• the risk around radicalisation and your supportive role
• making a Prevent referral that is both informed and made with good intention
• the interventions and support available

 Prevent newsletters

Bury Prevent Team produce a monthly series of newsletters providing up to date information, guidance and training offers in relation to Prevent. The newsletters are bespoke to Bury and packed with information.

View the Prevent Newsletters here

 

Help and further information

If you wish to discuss any training needs, please contact bury@prevent.gov.uk

For more information, you can go to:

Bury Council - What is Prevent?

Prevent Duty Training

Prevent Duty Toolkit for Local Authorities