Prevent Duty comes into force

A range of organisations including schools, local authorities, prisons, police and health bodies are now required to have 'due regard' in preventing people from being drawn into terrorism as part of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. 

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Prevent, Sir Peter Fahy said: 

"We welcome the new statutory Prevent duties, ensuring more public bodies have a legal responsibility to help stop people being drawn into terrorism. Everyone has a role to play and partnership working is critical to the success of the Prevent initiative.

“We look forward to forging new partnerships with more agencies to safeguard and support vulnerable individuals to help achieve our shared aims of protecting the public from violent extremism and terrorism."

The duty will also cover universities and colleges and will start for these institutions once further guidance on extremist speakers has been published