Prevent referrals at record levels

According to new data, a record number of new referrals were made to Prevent in the year to March.

Referrals increased by more than a quarter to 8778.

The type of concern that received the most referrals was "no ideology identified" or "no ideology – other susceptibility to radicalisation identified".

The second highest was "extreme right-wing", which received 1,798 referrals, followed by Islamist extremism at 870 referrals.

For referrals where ethnicity was included, the vast majority cited 'white', with 2,747. 798 were recorded as Asian and 320 as black.

Where the person's age was known, children aged between 11 and 15 years old made up the largest proportion at 36 per cent of the total or 3,192 referrals. Those aged 16 to 17 made up the second highest proportion. There were 345 referrals for children under 10.

The increase in referrals could be linked to an increase in awareness linked to the Southport attack and the Netflix drama Adolescence.

Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana was referred to prevent three times, but his case was closed as there was no evidence that he had a fixed ideology or motivation.

A review into Prevent and the Southport attack found that the case was closed prematurely and there was sufficient evidence that Rudakubana's case should have been escalated.

Between the attack on 29 July 2024 and 31 March 2025, Prevent referrals rose by 34 per cent compared the same period the year before. However, the Home Office said that "trends cannot be directly attributed to the Southport attack".

Counter Terrorism Policing’s Senior National Coordinator for Pursue and Prevent, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, said: 

Senior National Coordinator for Pursue and Prevent, DAC Vicki Evans said: “The latest Prevent statistics should act as yet another warning about the risks posed to our children by the online environment, and the extremist content they’re being exposed to.

“This year a record number of young and vulnerable people have been referred to Prevent because of concerns over radicalisation, with current trends indicating that these numbers will increase even more in the future."

She continued: “Prevent has successfully diverted thousands of people away from terrorism since its inception. But to manage the complex variety of risks and threats we face, it is vital there is a whole system response in place, with Prevent responsible for managing those at risk of being drawn into terrorism.

“By this, we mean that wider partners outside of law enforcement and counter terrorism must be equipped to work alongside Prevent to manage the full spectrum of complex behaviours and risk.

“Coordinated action across government, robust regulation and moderation, as well as finding innovative ways to inform young people and families about the threats they face, is now critical."