Standards and Compliance Unit launched to oversee Prevent

A Standards and Compliance Unit (StaCU) has been launched to oversee the Prevent programme, the Commission for Countering Extremism has announced today.

The unit, part of the Commission for Countering Extremism, will investigate complaints about how the Prevent duty has been applied.

Prevent is a government-led programme aiming to stop vulnerable people being drawn into extremism.

StaCU, the creation of which was recommended by Sir William Shawcross in the Independent Review of Prevent, is meant to ensure that Prevent is being delivered properly within the direction set by ministers.

Robin Simcox, commissioner for countering extremism, said StaCU will help to "retain public trust and confidence."

He added: "Prevent has a vital role to play in keeping our country safe from the evils of terrorism and extremism."

StaCU will review any complaints and update the complainant of the outcome.

Where complaints require investigation, StaCU will work closely with statutory bodies and in conjunction with existing organisational complaints processes.

The Commission for Countering Extremism will also publish annual reports sharing details on numbers and types of complaints received by StaCU.