Prevent

What is ‘Prevent’?

The Home Office Prevent Strategy 2011 is designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. A key element to this is ‘Channel’.

What is ‘Channel’?

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

How is this achieved?

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.

When should I refer?

If you have information that suggests an individual  is exhibiting behaviour or making comments that suggest he/she may be involved in activity which could be linked to terrorism may, for example be:

• 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

How do I make a referral?

Contact CYC SPOC Jane Mowat 01904 555742 or email preventenquiries@york.gov.uk

Complete York Prevent Referral Form and email to prevent@northyorkshire.police.uk

ACT - Action Counters Terrorism

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.

Launched on Wednesday 18 November 2020, the new 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.

The website includes signs to spot, case studies, other partner organisations who can offer support, and 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 website and helpline actively supports the work of the force’s dedicated Prevent officers.

• To visit the ACT Early website go to www.actearly.uk
• The national Police Prevent Advice Line is 0800 011 3764
• A toolkit with a range of assets has also been produced specifically for partner agencies to support Prevent community engagement activity. It can be accessed here: https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/actearlypartners/
• More information about the website launch is available on the NYP website

Since the ACT Early campaign launch in November, 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 new 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.

The launch of the website was featured widely on national and local media, including the BBC Six O’Clock News, Channel 4 News and the Newscast podcast. There has also been fantastic levels of engagement with our ACT Early social media content on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that has enabled us to reach far beyond ACT's own number of followers.

This initial success would not have been possible without your support and promotion of actearly.uk. Thank you, and please continue to do what you can to share links and content with you networks.

TWO NEW PREVENT FILMS NOW LIVE

There are now two new animated 2-minute explainer films about Prevent have now been added to the ACT Early website and our partners’ toolkit. You can find them on the website here:

https://actearly.uk/support/reach-out-for-help/

https://actearly.uk/working-together/how-we-help/

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 we work with partners, we hope 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 or aides for talks that you or colleagues might be giving about Prevent.

ACT EARLY IN THE YEAR AHEAD – WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

The year ahead is going to continue to be a challenging one for everyone as we deal with the ongoing impact of Covid-19. With most children and students now learning from home again, and conspiracy theories continuing to circulate, we know that there are increased risks of online radicalisation and an unavoidable lack of some of the protective safeguarding that schools, colleges and other services can provide. ACT have today issued a fresh appeal for parents and carers to remain vigilant about the signs of radicalisation and seek advice from ACT Early or other partners whenever they have concerns.

Useful Documents

Safer York Partnership Working with Individuals Vulnerable to Extremism: City of York Practice Guidance

York Prevent Referral Form

Channel Referral Process

Useful Links

The Home Office Prevent Strategy

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

Let's Talk About It is an initiative designed to provide practical help and guidance to the public in order to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.