Stats show increase in Prevent referrals

Counter Terrorism Policing’s Head of Prevent has warned of a continuation of the ‘worrying trend’ of children becoming more prevalent in CT casework.

In the year ending 31 March 2023, there were 6,817 referrals to Prevent, which is an increase of 6.4 per cent compared to the previous year, and the third highest total of referrals since 2015.

However, the increase did not translate into more Channel cases. Only 654 referrals were adopted, which is 159 fewer than last year.

If the referral progresses and it is assessed that there is a genuine risk of radicalisation, the case is considered by a multi-agency ‘Channel panel’ of professionals who collectively assess the case and decide on a tailored package of support that can be offered to the person.

39 per cent of referrals came from the Education sector and 29 per cent came from policing.

A very high proportion of referrals relate to children and young people. 63 per cent of referrals relate to under 20s and 31 per cent are aged 14 and under.

19 per cent of referrals relate to Extreme Right Wing terrorism concerns and 11 per cent relate to Islamist extremism.

Counter Terrorism Policing’s Head of Prevent, Detective Chief Superintendent Maria Lovegrove, said: “These new Prevent statistics show a continuation of the worrying trend we have been warning of for some time – that the average age of those in our casework is getting younger.

“It might seem shocking that very young children are being supported by Prevent to move away from extremism and terrorism, but when those young children are being exposed to harmful ideologies and extremist content then we must try to protect them in any way we can."

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