CT officers urge parents to be aware of radicalisation

Counter Terrorism officers from the Met Police are calling on London parents to be aware of signs that might indicate that a child could be vulnerable to radicalisation or being drawn into violent extremism.

The call comes after the Netflix drama Adolescence brought heightened media focus onto how children are increasingly being drawn into extreme and radical ideologies.

Detective Superintendent Jane Corrigan, who is the Met’s London Prevent Co-ordinator said: “The themes and storyline in Adolescence have sparked some incredibly important debate about dangerous rhetoric and ideologies that young schoolchildren can be exposed to through online and social media platforms.

“While it’s a fictitious drama, the story is grounded in a reality that we are seeing more and more in our work within Counter Terrorism Policing. Young people are being referred into us, and in almost every instance, a big part of their vulnerability is coming from what they are doing, seeing and consuming online.

“But it’s actually those who aren’t being referred to us who most concern us. That’s why it is so important that parents and carers are taking an active interest in what their child is doing online - to have those conversations and be aware of the potential warning signs. And if following that, they are still concerned or worried about their child, then it’s really important they reach out for more help as quickly as possible."

While public and media attention has been brought to the topic as a result of Adolescence, those working within Counter Terrorism have been concerned for some time over the number of young people being radicalised.

2023 and 2024 were the highest two years on record in terms of the number of children aged 17 or under being arrested for terrorism related offences, with 43 and 39 such arrests respectively. In 2002, there were only three such arrests and even in 2019, the equivalent figure was as low as 12.

Meanwhile, six out of every ten Prevent referrals related to those aged 17 and under - up from around five in every ten back in 2016/17.

Detective Superintendent Corrigan added: “I appreciate that this might seem quite daunting or unsettling for some parents or carers. And while it is still only a very small proportion of young people who may actually be affected, parents must not be fooled into thinking that this is something that only happens to others. We’ve had referrals and provided support through Prevent to a whole range of children, relating to a whole mix of different ideologies.