Referrals for deradicalisation programme rising

According to the BBC, eight people per day were referred to the government’s deradicalisation scheme, ‘Channel’, over the summer.

Figures show that between June and August, 796 people in England and Wales were reported to the programme. Of the 796 referrals, data from the National Police Chiefs’ Council shows that 312 were under the age of 18.

Public bodies, such as schools and local councils are legally responsible for spotting people exhibiting the potential for extremist behaviour. After referrals, the people who are identified as at risk of being drawn into terrorism are assessed and around a fifth of referrals are subsequently required to attend deradicalisation sessions.

The people who are required to attend the Channel programme do so because they have been identified as potentially on a path to violent extremism. Referrals most likely to be made are by those working in the public services which deal with vulnerable individuals, such as the education, prison and health sectors.

Throughout the duration of the summer, there were 327 referrals in June, 349 in July and 120 in August. These figures were accounted to more than the number of referral for the whole of 2012-13.

The government has defined extremism as: “Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs."

The government has said the programme is “about ensuring that vulnerable children and adults of any faith, ethnicity or background receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by those that would want them to embrace terrorism”.

Haras Rafiq, managing director at security think tank Quilliam, said the figures came after "the lure of extremism has increased over the last year both from an Islamist and far-right perspective . There is a symbiotic relationship between the two".

"More effort needs to come from civil society so that we build resilience in our communities so that these numbers come down."

Security Minister John Hayes said: “As a country, we have a duty to challenge, at every turn, the twisted narrative that has corrupted some of our vulnerable young people.

"Referrals to Channel have increased, but only a small percentage of these go on to require specialist intervention support.

"We have dedicated sufficient resources to the programme to cope with demand and we will keep this position under close review."
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