Local police out in force tackling extremism

As part of the week (7-11 September), local policing teams will be working alongside Prevent Engagement Officers to explain how the public can play their part in keeping the UK safe from terrorism by being aware of signs of radicalisation and reporting concerns to police.

Across the country a wide range of activity is taking place across the week, including

• A simulation exercise showing how a young person can be groomed and radicalised through social media, taking place at the University of Kent at Canterbury on Friday September 11. Participants will also be able to take place in a Prevent focus group, in partnership with the Kent Youth Parliament.

• 49 different events taking place in the West Midlands region, starting with a Prevent workshop for 16-24 year olds in conjunction with The Prince’s Trust.

• The launch of a Prevent film by the North-West Counter Terrorism Unit, showing what Prevent means to a range of professionals, including police, health and education workers.

• Community forums and Prevent webchat in the North-East.

The findings of the anonymous survey of nearly 15,000 people, mostly between the ages of 11-25, show that: 

• Two thirds (66 %) of 11-25 year olds who were asked which family member they were most likely to talk to said they would speak to their mother if they were worried about someone they knew being radicalised or considering travelling to a conflict zone abroad.

• 1 in 5 who were asked the same question, said that they would speak to their father.

• After friends and family, young people would be most likely to tell a police officer of their concerns.

The full findings of the report, which will be available in the autumn, will help us shape our services to support young people at risk of radicalisation. 

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Local Policing, Chief Constable Simon Cole said:

“We can only reduce the threat we face from terrorism and domestic extremism if we all play a part in preventing young people from being radicalised.  This is why local communities and families have a vital role to play in helping to prevent tragedies on our doorstep.

“It is reassuring to see that that people are putting their trust in the police and coming to us for advice and support, as well as from their family network.”

Alan Lyon, National Coordinator Prevent, National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters, said:

“It is crucial that the police service focuses its Prevent engagement activity where it is most needed, working with our partners through the new Prevent Duty.  The headline findings from the national survey tell us that concentrating our effort on engaging with young people, women and families is the best approach to safeguarding our communities.

“If you know anyone you feel may be potentially vulnerable to being drawn into terrorist-related activity, including travelling abroad to conflict zones please contact your local police for advice and support on 101. You can also visit the national Prevent Tragedies website for further guidance www.preventtragedies.co.uk.

“If you see or hear something that you are concerned could be terrorist related call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.”

Further Information

Prevent is part of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Strategy CONTEST. For more information about CONTEST please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counter-terrorism-strategy-contest.

The national Youth Online Understanding Radicalisation (YOUR) Survey was carried out by the National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters between March and August 2015. The survey seeks to understand the broader picture around issues that may affect young people’s vulnerability to radicalisation and travel to areas of conflict.