Prevent
Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 states that local authorities are deemed as specified authorities and as such are responsible for the implementation of the Prevent Duty - “in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.
What is Prevent?
Prevent is part of the national counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. Prevent aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism and extremism.
This includes:
• Challenging ideology - All terrorist groups have an ideology and frequently use the internet to air their views
• Supporting vulnerable people - Radicalisation is a process, not one event and during that process it is possible to intervene and safeguard the vulnerable.
• Working with key sectors - A wide range of agencies are working to help deliver Prevent, including education, health, faith, criminal justice and charities.
Please refer to the Home Office website for additional information on the Prevent Duty.
Further information:
If you have any concerns please visit the ACT Early website to find out more about the signs that someone may be vulnerable to radicalisation.
There is also a range of telephone numbers for members of the public who are concerned about individuals who may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism:
• Police Prevent team call 01785 232054
• Police Prevent team website
Staffordshire Police call 101
• If it’s an emergency please call 999
• National Police Prevent advice line call 0800 011 3764
What is Channel
Channel is a multi-agency safeguarding programme, which offers help and guidance to people who may be at risk of being draw in to terrorism.
Whilst there is no single profile of a person susceptible to grooming by extremists, organisations often try to recruit people who are easily influenced or vulnerable, both in person and online. Channel works to protect vulnerable people from becoming involved in extremist-related activity by:
• identifying those most at risk
• assessing the nature and extent of that risk
• developing the most appropriate support plan for the individuals concerned
• providing help with mental health, emotional and drug or alcohol abuse issues, as well as education and career advice
Early intervention is key and if the signs are spotted early and acted upon, it not only safeguards the person concerned, but also helps to protect those living and working in the county.
More information can be found on the Channel guidance (Link is external and opens in new window)
- What is Prevent?
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Prevent is part of the Government’s Counter-terrorism Strategy. The aim of Prevent is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
The UK faces a continuing threat from both international and domestic terrorism and violent extremism, which can emerge from any community, can be inspired by a range of causes.
The threat can include the exploitation of vulnerable people, including children of all ages, young people and adults and involve them in acts of terrorism or extremism. People of all ages are being recruited into groups promoting hatred, discrimination and sometimes violence.
- The Campaign
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The aim of the campaign is to ensure young people have an increased awareness and understanding of what extremism is and the wider Prevent agenda as well as encouraging people to report their concerns and make a referral to the relevant agency.
Resource packs are being distributed to primary and secondary schools providing information about local support services, details about the Prevent agenda and campaign material.
Campaign messages will also be promoted further using the Council’s housing and refuse vehicles, posters displayed in key locations across the District and online advertising via the Council’s website and social media platforms.
The campaign has been funded by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund, Staffordshire County Council’s Building Resilient Families and Communities Fund and the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Prevent Targeted Initiative Fund.
This forms part of the Council’s wider safeguarding campaign. ‘See something, Say something’, which was launched last year and aims to encourage people to report any concerns they may have about an individual or group.
This is the first time the Partnership team has secured this level of external funding for a campaign which will help raise the profile of the Prevent agenda and risks of extremism. It is hoped that if it is successful it could be rolled out to other schools across Staffordshire.
If you have concerns about someone becoming involved in extremism, report it by calling 01785 232054.
For further information about this campaign contact the Community Safety team on 01543 464387.
Download a copy of the campaign posters below.
A4 extremism laptop poster (Unavailable)
A4 extremism mobile phone poster .pdf (908.92 KB)