Prevent

Information for Practitioners

Preventing radicalisation

The aim of Prevent is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

At the heart of Prevent is safeguarding adults and children by providing early intervention to protect and divert people away from being drawn into terrorist activity.  

Prevent operates in a pre-criminal space, providing support and re-direction to individuals at risk of being radicalised into terrorist activities before any crimes are committed.  

Prevent is 1 of the key pillars of the Governments counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST1. Its aim is to reduce the risk from terrorism in the UK, its citizens and interests overseas, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.  

 Watch this short video about public sector staff working together to stop radicalisation.

Threats and Risks

Prevent addresses all forms of terrorism but continues to ensure resources and efforts are allocated on the basis of threat to our national security.  

In the UK, the primary domestic terrorist threat comes from Islamist terrorism. 

Threat groups and ideologies

Prevent addresses all forms of terrorism but continues to ensure resources and efforts are allocated on the basis of threat to our national security.  

 In the UK, the primary domestic terrorist threat comes from Islamist terrorism. 

Islamist terrorism is the threat or use of violence as a means to establish a strict interpretation of an Islamic society. For some this is a political ideology which visualises, for example, the creation of a global Islamic caliphate based on strict implementation of shari’ah law, drawing on political and religious ideas developed in the 20th century by Sayyid Qutb and Abdallah Azzam. Many advocates believe that violence (or ‘jihad’ as they conceive it) is not only a necessary strategic tool to achieve their aims, but an individual’s religious duty.

Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism describes those involved in Extreme Right-Wing activity who use terrorist violence to further their ideology. These ideologies can be broadly characterised as:  

•      Cultural Nationalism  

•      White Nationalism  

•      White Supremacism  

Individuals and groups may subscribe to ideological trends and ideas from more than one category. Unlike Islamist terrorist groups, Extreme Right-Wing terrorists are not typically organised into formal groups with leadership hierarchies and territorial ambitions, but informal online communities which facilitate international links. 

Prevent also tackles other ideologies and concerns that may pose a terrorist threat. Established terrorist narratives exhibit common themes such as antisemitism, misogyny, anti- establishment, anti-LGBT grievances and religious or ethnic superiority. 

Left-Wing, Anarchist and Single- Issue Terrorism currently represents a significantly smaller terrorist threat to the UK than Islamist terrorism or Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism and is not currently present in the UK at any significant scale. The majority of related activity in the UK has consisted of lawful protest, and where these have involved violence, it has resulted in offences relating to public order. 

What should I do if I think someone is at risk of radicalisation?

Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. There are many factors that can make someone susceptible to radicalisation, it can happen to anyone of any age, social class, religion, ethnicity or educational background.

There is no single route to radicalisation. However there are certain behaviours you can watch out for that is often seen when someone is being led down the path of extremism. These behaviours include:

•   Being influence or controlled by a group

•   Spending an increasing amount of time online and sharing extreme views on social media

•   Looking to blame others.

•   Expressing extreme ideological views

Those who work in frontline support roles will often be the first to notice if someone displays concerning behaviour.

Notice: There could be many different reasons for these behaviours, not just radicalisation. Its important to understand the context and why these changes are happening.

Check: discuss your concerns with colleagues/your safeguarding lead.

Share: once you have gathered relevant information it is essential to share a concern and make a referral.

Referrals into Channel Panel

Channel is a voluntary, confidential, early intervention programme that supports people who may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism. Referrals into the programme can be made by any front line officer by completing a Prevent National Referral Form  

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Further support for front line professionals regarding a referral contact the Prevent policing team on 01473 613888 ext 5490 or email Prevent@norfolk.pnn.police.uk

• Prevent Vulnerable to Radicalisation Referral Flow Chart - Appendix C

• Further information about Channel Panel

Local Prevent Delivery

While Prevent is a national strategy, it is delivered locally by a wide range of partners across Suffolk.

Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 placed a duty on specified agencies to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism".

Training and resources

Suffolk has a multi-agency Prevent Delivery Group which brings together a whole range of agencies to work together to meet the Prevent Duty. 

Free awareness e-learning training:

•     Awareness course:

•     Referrals course

•     Channel Panel course

•     Refresher awareness course

Preventing Radicalisation Training

The Community Safety Team at Suffolk County Council organise and run a variety of training opportunities which include sessions on Preventing Radicalisation.

The sessions aim to help staff recognise people who are vulnerable to radicalisation or to being influenced by extremism. The training is available for all front-line practitioners living or working in Suffolk.

A link to sign up for this training can be found here.

An e-learning awareness training package on Prevent can also be accessed here. This training is available to anyone within Suffolk, once a CPD account has been created search ‘prevent duty’ to access the training.

Keeping Safe online factsheet

We know its hard to stay on top of what young people are accessing online. Our guide for parents and teachers is a good starting point for learning more about the different platforms and apps young people are accessing.

Support to schools/education settings can be found at Educate Against Hate - Prevent Radicalisation & Extremism

Further information can be found by searching ‘Preventing Radicalisation’ on Suffolk County Councils webpages.

If you would like to know more about the work being done locally in Suffolk , or If you are a front line practitioner and need further support or have a training request please contact community.safety@suffolk.gov.uk

 Further Resources

 The prevent duty: Prevent duty guidance: England and Wales (2023) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Suffolk and Norfolk Prevent Leaflet

 Health Care practitioners

• NHS Prevent Training and Competencies Framework 2022

• Prevent Duty in Healthcare video

Education Leads:

• Practical resources for teachers to empower young people Going Too Far

• Trusted educational resources educate against hate