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Prevent - counter-terrorism

The Home Office Prevent Strategy 2011 is designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

If you feel that there is threat to life for the individual or others, you must report the matter to the police on 999.

A key element to the Prevent Strategy is the ‘Channel’ multi-agency approach.

Channel is a multi-agency approach to protect people at risk from radicalisation using existing collaboration between local authorities, statutory partners, the police and local community to:

  • identify individuals at risk of being drawn into terrorism
  • assess the nature and extent of that risk, and;
  • develop the most appropriate support plan for the individual concerned

The main focus is on early intervention - diverting people away from the risk they face. In order to do this, information sharing is crucial.

If children's social care, North Yorkshire Police and/or the local authority lead on 'Prevent' and the 'Channel' process think that there is a risk, a Channel Panel to assess the risk and agree further actions may be convened.

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You should consider making a Prevent referral if you have information that suggests an individual is exhibiting behaviour or making comments that suggest they may be involved in activity which could be linked to terrorism.

Examples of such behaviour include:

  • accessing information on the internet with links to terrorist activity
  • using extreme right wing symbols
  • exhibiting significant changes in behaviour
  • spending significant periods of time alone, withdrawing from social interaction
  • having a sudden and obsessive interest in topical terrorist related news stories
  • using terminology or words associated with terrorism - notice, check and share

Make a Prevent referral

Contact CYC Single Point of Contact (SPOC) Jane Mowat:

you can see further information, and download the Prevent Referral Form, from the Safer York Partnership website.

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Families and friends who are worried their loved ones may be at risk from extremist ideology are being encouraged to ‘act early’ and share their concerns in confidence with the police.

The ACT Early safeguarding website urges anyone with concerns to seek help as soon as possible, so that police and partners can help protect the person they care about from being groomed and exploited.

It is supported by a new national Police Prevent Advice Line where families and friends can seek help and support in confidence from specialist Counter Terrorism officers. You can contact the national Police Prevent Advice Line on telephone: 0800 011 3764.

The website includes information about:

  • signs to spot
  • case studies
  • other partner organisations who can offer support
  • how to share concerns with the police

Working alongside partner agencies, North Yorkshire Police has helped many people who may be at risk from extremist ideology through the Home Office’s Prevent programme, part of the government’s national counter-terrorism strategy.

The ACT Early website and helpline actively supports the work of the force’s dedicated Prevent officers.

Since the ACT Early campaign launch, which is already having a life-changing impact in getting help and advice to those who might be at risk of radicalisation, the site has already received more than 25,000 individual visits and as a result the national police Prevent advice line has been receiving calls every week from concerned family and friends, with specialist support being put in place where appropriate.

There has been fantastic levels of engagement with ACT Early social media content on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that has enabled reach far beyond ACT's own number of followers.

There are 2 animated 2-minute explainer films about Prevent on the ACT Early website, as well as a partners’ toolkit with a range of assets which has been produced specifically for partner agencies to support Prevent community engagement activity.

The films are aimed at a general public, concerned friends and family audience, and provide an introduction to Prevent and to the work of Prevent officers.

By improving understanding of Prevent and explaining the way that ACT Early work with partners, it is hoped that more people will be encouraged and assured to seek help at an earlier stage where appropriate. The films will also help make great digital training materials about Prevent.

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The Home Office Prevent Strategy - Guidance for specified authorities in England and Wales on the duty in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

Educate Against Hate - gives teachers, parents and school leaders practical advice and information on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.

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