PREVENT - Safeguarding
The Prevent Duty - Safeguarding from radicalisation
From July 2015, the Counter Terrorism and Security Act placed a statutory duty on specific authorities including: local authorities, police, education and health to have 'due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism' and to address this with a proportionate response.
The Prevent Duty is one element of the UK's national counter-terrorism strategy, Contest.
It has three key objectives:
- To respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it
- Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support
- Work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation that we need to address
The full Prevent Duty guidance is available from GOV.UK: Statutory guidance Prevent duty guidance Prevent duty guidance for England, Scotland and Wales (opens new window).
Prevent is about safeguarding our communities from the threat of terrorism by stopping people from supporting it or becoming terrorists themselves.
Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. If you are worried someone close to you is being radicalised, act early (opens new window) and seek help. The sooner you reach out, the quicker the person you care about can be protected from being groomed and exploited by extremists.
Anyone can make a Prevent referral if they have concerns about someone being radicalised. Friends and family are best placed to spot the signs, so trust your instincts and share your concerns in confidence.
When a referral is made, Prevent officers gather information to look at the context surrounding concerning behaviour changes and conduct a vulnerability assessment. In most cases, referrals are signposted to other services, but if there is a relevant concern, then they may be put forward for support from Channel.
There are many factors that could make someone vulnerable to radicalisation including:
- Feelings of grievance and injustice
- Being at a transitional time of life
- Experiencing a traumatic event
- A desire for political or moral change
- Struggling with a sense of identity, meaning and belonging or questioning their place in society
- A desire for status
- Being influenced or controlled by a group
- Experiencing racism or discrimination
For further information about spotting the signs, seeking advice and support available visit Action Counters Terrorism: ACT Early (opens new window).
Channel is a multi-agency panel of professionals from services in contact with the individual referred. This includes a local authority chair and a Prevent police representative. Participation in Channel is voluntary and confidential. The panel identify risk and protective factors and how support can be provided to the individual, to build resilience and divert them from potentially being drawn into terrorism. Progress is reviewed on a monthly basis and when it is agreed there are no further concerns relating to radicalisation, they will leave the programme. 6 and 12 month reviews are carried out following Channel closure to review progress.
Support is provided via Channel from services including, but not limited to:
- Mental health
- Education
- Housing
- Substance misuse services
- Adult and children's social care
- Intervention providers
- Mentoring services
- Community policing
- Activities such as sport and activity clubs
While Wiltshire is considered a low risk area, it is important to be aware of vulnerabilities in people we know and meet and that advice is sought if there are concerns.
Channel is governed by Wiltshire's multi-agency Prevent Board, the Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership and Strategic Contest Board, this governance pathway allows escalation of any concerns or queries around Channel. Any queries should be directed to SVPP@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).
There are several ways you can seek advice:
- Visit Action Counters Terrorism: ACT Early (opens new window)
- Call the National Prevent Advice Line on 0800 011 3764 for friends, families and community members
- Speak to your designated safeguarding lead (if applicable)
- Call the local Prevent team on 01278 647466
- Call 101 and state you would like some advice regarding a Prevent concern
- If you see or hear something that could be terrorist related call the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321
- If you require urgent police assistance dial 999
To make a referral, email: PreventReferrals@wiltshire.police.uk (opens new window)
It is crucial to note that Prevent is a supportive space and does not get people in trouble or criminalise them. It is about safeguarding them from the potential impact of extremism and radicalisation.
The Home Office has produced a Prevent e-learning package (opens new window).
For further information please use the links on this page.
The Red Button (opens new window)
The RED button allows anyone to anonymously report online extremist or terrorism related material directly to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit.
You can also report online content via the Anti-Terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 or at GOV.UK: ACT (opens new window)
If you come across extremist graffiti, stickers or posters while out and about, please don't touch them, but photograph what you have seen and report it to the police on 101.
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