Preventing radicalisation

On this page:

  1. What is Prevent?
  2. Identifying radicalisation
  3. I am worried about someone - what do I do?
  4. Report suspicious activity
  5. Access support

What is Prevent?

Prevent is a national programme which aims to:

  • reduce the threat of terrorism to the UK
  • stop people from becoming terrorists - or supporting terrorism, via radicalisation

It works to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are offered appropriate interventions, and communities are protected against radicalising influences.

Radicalisation can happen when a person develops extreme views or beliefs that support terrorist groups or activities.

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. Safeguarding vulnerable people from radicalisation is no different from safeguarding them from other forms of harm.

There are different types of terrorism - and Prevent deals with all of them. The most common types of terrorism in the UK are extreme right-wing terrorism, and Islamist terrorism.

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 placed a duty on specified authorities to have 'due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism'. We form part of Suffolk's multi-agency Prevent Delivery Group, which works to meet the Prevent duty, and deliver the Prevent strategy.

Identifying radicalisation

Individuals and groups may subscribe to ideological trends and ideas from more than one category.

Unlike Islamist terrorist groups, extreme right-wing terrorists are not typically organised into formal groups with leadership hierarchies and territorial ambitions. Instead, informal online communities facilitate international links.

Prevent also tackles other ideologies and concerns that might pose as a terrorist threat. Established terrorist narratives exhibit common themes such as:

  • antisemitism
  • misogyny
  • anti-establishment
  • anti-LGBTQIA+ grievances
  • religious or ethnic superiority

Incels are a sub-culture community of men, who forge a sense of community around their perceived inability to form sexual or romantic relationships. In recent years, there has been a small - but growing - number of violent attacks, which have been attributed to individuals who identify as incels.

Spot the signs

There is no single route to radicalisation. Everyone is different, and there is no 'checklist' that can tell us if someone is being radicalised, or becoming involved in terrorism.

However, there are certain vulnerabilities and behaviours you can look out for - which can often be identified when someone is being led down the path of extremism:

  • A need for identity and belonging
  • Being influenced or controlled by a group
  • Relevant mental health issues
  • A need to dominate and control others
  • A desire for excitement or adventure
  • A desire for status
  • Feelings of grievance and injustice

Look out for the following signs and behaviours:

  • Accessing extremist content online, or downloading propaganda material
  • Justifying the use of violence to solve societal issues
  • Altering style of dress, or appearance, to accord with an extremist group
  • Being unwilling to engage with people who are seen as different
  • Using certain symbols associated with terrorist organisations
  • Spending an increasing amount of time online
  • Showing sympathy for extremist causes
  • Social withdrawal and isolation
  • Resentment to authority
  • Being increasingly secretive
  • Scripted speech
  • New friends
  • Glorifying violence
  • Evidence of possessing illegal or extremist literature
  • Out of character changes in peer relationships

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

Trust your instincts

If you are worried someone close to you is becoming radicalised, act early and seek help.

The sooner you reach out, the more quickly that professionals can protect the person you care about from being groomed and exploited by extremists.

I am worried about someone - what do I do?

If you have concerns about anyone, please contact adult social care (Customer First).

Visit Action Counter Terrorism's (ACT) website for more information.

If you find material online that promotes terrorism or extremism, you can report terrorism online.

Guidance for professionals

As a professional, you can make a safeguarding referral to the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.

After talking to someone about your worries, you may be asked to help create a referral to the Prevent programme. This can be done through the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.

You are also able to call Prevent - in confidence - on 0800 011 3764, to share your concerns with our specially trained officers.

Remember - it is important that you ACT now:

  • Assess risk
  • Challenge extremist views
  • Tell your designated safeguarding lead and/or Prevent coordinator

Report suspicious activity

If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious - that could potentially be related to terrorism - trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it. Your actions could save lives.

You can report suspicious activity by calling the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

If you find content online that you find offensive, and you believe it to be extremist/illegal, you can report possible terrorist activity online.

Call the ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764 from 9am-5pm.

In an emergency, you should always call 999.

Access support

Anyone who is referred to Prevent is assessed by the local authority and other partners - including the police - to see whether they are suitable for Channel, which is Prevent’s specialist support scheme.

Channel is a voluntary, confidential, early intervention programme that supports people who may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism.

For more information about the information covered on this webpage: