Prevent: Far right referrals outnumber Islamic extremism for second year running

Figures released yesterday reveal that a fifth of Prevent Counter Terror Programme referrals (1300) to the year March 2022 are flagged for extreme right-wing ideology. This compares with just over 1,000 people flagged over Islamist extremism concerns.

This marks the second year in a row that far-right related referrals outnumber those relating to Islamist extremism.

Individuals flagged over extreme right-wing concerns also made up the highest number of referrals to the Government’s Channel programme, which escalates cases if individuals are deemed to be at a significant risk of radicalisation.

Those displaying signs of extreme right-wing ideology made up 42 per cent of the 802 cases referred to the Channel programme — more than double those flagged for Islamist extremism.

Despite being completed in May last year, the Government's Independent review of Prevent, conducted by Sir William Shawcross, has still not been released.

However, leaks have revealed that in the review, Shawcross recommends an increased focus on Islamic extremism, seemingly ignoring hard evidence which demonstrated a rapid increase in right wing extremism.