Prevent

Together we can help to reduce the threat of terrorism and extremism.

What is Prevent?

Leicestershire’s Prevent Strategy is a counter-terrorism programme aimed at safeguarding our communities and preventing extremism by supporting those who may be targeted by extremists trying to recruit or radicalise them.

Managed by our Community Safety team, the strategy has been developed in response to the Counter Terrorism and Security Act (2015), the Government's Prevent Strategy, designed to stop people from supporting or becoming involved in both violent and non-violent extremism.

You can find more information about this by watching the Home Office's video (there is a link to this at the bottom of the page), which provides an introduction about Prevent. 

What is Channel?

Channel is a multi-agency safeguarding programme, which is there to offer support and guidance to people who may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism. 

Whilst there isn't a single profile of a person that is susceptible to grooming by extremists, organisations often try to recruit people who are vulnerable or easily influenced, this happens both in person and online. Channel works to protect vulnerable people from the risk of 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 safeguards the person concerned as well as helps to protect those living and working in the county.

More information can be found on the 'Channel Guidance' link at the bottom of the page.

How you can help

Prevent relies on community support and information to identify and protect people. Below are a number of ways you can help with this, you will find links to all of the websites at the bottom of this page. 

If you are concerned that someone you may know, be this a friend, neighbour or relative is at risk of potentially being exploited or becoming involved in extremist activity or terrorism you should tell your local authority of the police. To make a police referral, please get in touch with Leicestershire Police.

You can report concerns for an adult or child/young person that you feel may be at risk by contacting either the Adult Social Care Team at Leicestershire County Council or First Response Children's Duty Team also at Leicestershire County Council.

The NSPCC have launched a free 24-hour service for adults who need advice on how to talk to their children about issues related to radicalisation and terrorism. If you’re worried, you can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit their website.

Act Early is dedicated to helping friends and family of potentially vulnerable individuals spot the signs. If you're worried about someone close to you, it's important that you act early and share any concerns in confidence - you won’t be wasting anyone's time and you won’t ruin lives, but you might save them. You can find more information about this via the link at the bottom of the page.

Online radicalisation

There is no exhaustive checklist of warnings signs that would indicate that someone is being groomed online, but some things to look out for may include:

• isolation from family and friends
• increased secrecy, accessing extreme material, refusal to say who they are talking to
• using the dark web or anonymous browsing to hide online activity
• interest in conspiracy theories and/or changes in social media profiles

If you have concerns that someone is being exposed to extremism, you can find further advice on the Let's Talk About It website and you can report any online material promoting terrorism or extremism. 

Advice and support for practitioners

When seeking advice from a professional capacity, please check any concerns you have with the Designated Safeguarding Lead within your organisation.

In England, governing bodies including schools and registered childcare providers should ensure that their safeguarding arrangements take into account the policies and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). 

Local multi-agency safeguarding procedures for adults can be accessed through the Leicestershire Safeguarding Adults Board and for safeguarding children, from the Leicester and the Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Children Partnerships. 

Schools and childcare providers should have clear procedures in place for protecting children at risk of radicalisation. General safeguarding principles apply to keeping children safe from the risk of radicalisation as set out in the relevant statutory guidance, working together to safeguard children and keeping children safe in education.

You can also access Home Office e-learning on Prevent awareness.