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Preventing Radicalisation

Find out how to report suspicious activity, what to do if you think someone is at risk of radicalisation, and what the Prevent duty is.

In an emergency, or if you need urgent Police assistance, you should always call 999

The aim of Prevent is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

At the heart of Prevent is safeguarding adults and children by providing early intervention to protect and divert people away from being drawn into terrorist activity.

Prevent operates in a pre-criminal space, providing support and re-direction to individuals at risk of being radicalised into terrorist activities before any crimes are committed.

Prevent is 1 of the key pillars of the Governments counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. Its aim is to reduce the risk from terrorism in the UK, its citizens and interests overseas, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.

Threats and Risks

Prevent addresses all forms of terrorism but continues to ensure resources and efforts are allocated on the basis of threat to our national security.

In the UK, the primary domestic terrorist threat comes from Islamist terrorism.

What should I do if I think someone is at risk of radicalisation?

Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. There are many factors that can make someone susceptible to radicalisation, it can happen to anyone of any age, social class, religion, ethnicity or educational background.

Friends and family are best placed to spot the signs, so trust your instincts.

There is no single route to radicalisation. However there are certain behaviours you can watch out for that is often seen when someone is being led down the path of extremism. These behaviours include:

  • Being influence or controlled by a group
  • Mental health issues
  • Spending an increasing amount of time online and sharing extremist views on social media
  • Looking to blame others.

More important than any one specific sign is the sense that something is not quite right with the person you are worried about.

If you are worried someone close to you is becoming radicalised, act early and seek help. The sooner you reach out, the quicker professionals can protect the person you care about from being groomed and exploited by extremists.

To find out more about how to help someone close to you visit Act Early or call the ACT early support line on 0800 011 3764 where, in confidence, you can share your concerns with specially trained officers. Lines are open 09.00-5.00pm every day. In an emergency dial 999.

How to report terrorist or violent extremist content found online

If you see terrorist or violent extremist material or online content that supports, directs or glorifies terrorism please report it. You can report things like:

  • Articles, images, speeches or videos that promote terrorism or encourage violence
  • Websites made by terrorists or extremist organisations
  • Videos of terrorist attacks.

You can make your report without leaving your name or contact details online.

Keeping safe online: we know its hard to stay on top of what young people are accessing online. Our guide for parents and teachers is a good starting point for learning more about the different platforms and apps young people are accessing.

How to report suspicious activity

If you've seen or heard something that could potentially be related to terrorism, trust your instincts and report it. Your actions could save lives.

It only takes a moment to make a report online

You can also report suspicious activity by contacting the Police in confidence on 0800 789 321. In an emergency dial 999.

Every year thousands of reports from the public help the Police to keep communities safe from terrorism.

Further information can be found at: Action Counters Terrorism.

Local Prevent Delivery

While Prevent is a national strategy, it is delivered locally by a wide range of partners across Suffolk.

Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 placed a duty on specified agencies to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism".

Suffolk has a multi-agency Prevent Delivery Group which brings together a whole range of agencies to work together to meet the Prevent Duty - they have a 3 year Prevent Delivery Group Strategy in place.

Partners also deliver frontline staff training, deliver projects to increase understanding and manage a referral service called Channel Panel.

If you would like to know more about the work being done locally in Suffolk , or if you are a front line practitioner and need further support please contact community.safety@suffolk.gov.uk or consult the practitioner section on the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership website.