The purpose of Prevent is to safeguard vulnerable people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, by engaging with people who are vulnerable to radicalisation and protecting those who are being targeted by terrorist recruiters. The Prevent strategy is part of the UK Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST), based on the Counter Terrorism and Security Act of 2015. It requires public bodies, including local authorities, the police, prisons, providers of probation services, schools, colleges, and universities to act to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, ensuring awareness of risks of terrorism.
Prevent has three main objectives:
- to respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism
- to support vulnerable people and prevent people from being drawn into terrorism
- to work with key sectors and institutions and address risks
It focuses on early intervention before any illegal activity takes place. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of individuals who support a violent extremist ideology of becoming terrorists.
Read Sefton Council's Prevent Strategy
Making a Prevent referral
Anyone can make a Prevent referral if they have concerns
General Public – To find out more about how to help someone close to you visit actearly.uk which is a helpful resource with advice, practical tips on how to start a conversation with someone you’re worried about, online safety advice and real stories.
If you have concerns about any of your friends, neighbours or relatives, you can contact Sefton Council. If you’re worried about an adult, call 0345 140 0845 to report it. If you are concerned about a child or young person you can call the CHAT Team on 0151 934 4013.
You can also call the national police Prevent advice line 0800 011 3764, in confidence, to share your concerns with their specially trained officers.
If it's an emergency, please call 999.
Radicalisation
Radicalisation is the process through which people come to support increasingly extreme political, religious or other ideals. This can lead them to support violent extremism and terrorism.
People can ‘self-radicalise’, by reading or listening to extremist literature or speakers. More commonly, there may be an individual or group actively seeking to persuade others to adopt their views.
Belief in an extremist cause and membership of an extremist group can offer people a sense of purpose, identity and community. This may be particularly appealing to someone who is experiencing difficulties and challenges in their life.
Signs that someone is being radicalised may be (but are not limited to):
- isolation or withdrawal from family and friends
- obsession with and secrecy around the internet and social networking sites
- becoming uncooperative and disengaged
- using abusive, aggressive or extremist views/comments/threats/language
- a fascination with weapons, chemicals, explosives or extremist activity and events
- significant changes in relationships
- the use of seemingly scripted speech
- change in behaviour or appearance due to new influences
- seeking to recruit or ‘groom’ others to an extremist ideology
- possession of violent extremist literature
If you are worried that someone is being radicalised, please contact the police on 999.
The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 contains a duty on specified authorities to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. This is also known as Prevent Duty.