Prevent storyline to feature on Hollyoaks

Counter Terrorism Policing have teamed up with popular soap opera Hollyoaks to warn young people about the dangers of radicalisation.

Hollyoaks’ ground-breaking far-right radicalisation storyline is set to reach a dramatic climax on 15 November. As part of their collaborations, the national Coordinator for Prevent, Chief Superintendent Nik Adams, has taken part in a short film exploring the real-life impact of far-right radicalisation and how Prevent helps people turn their lives around.

Telling the true story of ‘John’ – a young man who rejected a life of extremism following a Prevent intervention – the film explores how the safeguarding scheme works to protect vulnerable people from radicalisation. While ‘John’ recounts his journey from far-right extremist to Prevent champion, the video cuts to an interview between Kieron Richardson – who plays the storyline’s main character Ste – and Chief Superintendent Nik Adams, who explains what Prevent is and how it helps people.

Adams said: “At its core, Prevent is an early intervention programme which tries to steer vulnerable people away from radicalisation and extremist views. It doesn’t matter whether the risk is from far right extremism or Islamist extremism, Prevent has dedicated professionals on hand who can try and help someone take a different path, away from the hatred and intolerance.

“Frequently it will be friends and family who are the first to spot the signs that someone is being radicalised and that can be scary, especially when you don’t know what to do. But this video shows that we can help you recognise the signs, we can get you the assistance you need and that one wrong turn doesn’t need to ruin someone’s life – Prevent is here to help.”