Prevent in Somerset

Introduction

Prevent is one part of the United Kingdom’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST) and aims to stop people from being exposed to extreme ideologies or becoming involved in or supporting terrorist activity. It is an approach that involves many agencies and communities, to safeguard people who may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism.

The Prevent strategy covers all types of extremism, both domestic violent and non-violent extremism, including the extreme right wing, religious militantism and other causes.

Three national objectives of the Prevent strategy have been identified:

• Objective 1: Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it.
• Objective 2: Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support.
• Objective 3: Work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation that we need to address.

Prevent and safeguarding in Somerset

The Government’s revised Prevent strategy was launched in July 2015. With the associated Prevent Duty last updated in 2021. Its key objectives are to challenge the ideology that supports extremism and terrorism and those who promote it through safeguarding. It uses a multi-agency approach, similar to that used for dealing with safeguarding issues such as Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) to prevent vulnerable people from being drawn into extremism and terrorism.

This approach ensures that Prevent achieves its purpose of safeguarding vulnerable individuals who are at risk of radicalisation from extremist groups.

Our Prevent objectives - training

Training and Awareness

All ‘specified’ authorities under the Prevent Duty must ensure that appropriate frontline staff, including those of its contractors, have a good understanding of Prevent. They should be trained to recognise vulnerability to being drawn into terrorism and are aware of available programmes to deal with this issue.

To facilitate this new Prevent Duty Training an e-learning programme has been launched where staff can learn about:

• the Prevent duty
• different forms of extremism and terrorism
• the risk around radicalisation and your supportive role
• making a Prevent referral that is both informed and made with good intention
• the interventions and support available

The courses are available on the Prevent duty training (GOV.UK) page and gives you access to the following courses:

• Prevent awareness – This course has been refreshed and updated with new case studies to provide an overview of the Prevent programme and what to do if you spot a concerning behaviours.
• Prevent referrals – This training shares best practice on how to articulate concerns about an individual and ensure that they are robust and considered and aims to give them confidence in making a referral. You must complete the Prevent Awareness course before undertaking this module. It should be noted that the course is based on national information. In Somerset, we have a local referral process which links to existing and established safeguarding process.
• Channel or Prevent Multi-Agency Panel (PMAP)  – This course is for anyone who may be asked to contribute to, sit on, or run a Channel panel. You must complete the Prevent Awareness and Referrals courses before undertaking this module.
• Refresher awareness – This is a condensed version of the awareness course and is for anyone who has already completed the awareness course and would like a reminder of the key points.

More training resources that are nationally available are listed in the ‘More Information section’.

ACT Early

The Action Counters Terrorism website is a tool for engaging with people from all communities. It is an initiative developed by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit Counter-Terrorism Policing, to provide practical help and guidance to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

The aim of the site is to give people a clear and better understanding of both Prevent and Channel, while providing signposting and support for people who are concerned that someone they know may be vulnerable to radicalisation.

The site also has useful information about how to spot the signs that someone may be being radicalised and provides tips on how you can protect yourself.

How to report a concern

To report a concern, firstly share your information with your Designated Safeguarding lead and follow your organisation’s due process as per the training guidelines.

Report online terrorist material

Tackling extremist material is important to protect the public and prevent offences that incite or promote terrorism and extremism.

The internet is the most likely and most prominent delivery method exploited by extreme groups seeking to radicalise vulnerable people into pledging support. This is by promoting views of extreme content, the reading of extremist publications, online speaking events and communication.

You can report online extremist and terrorist material on the Home Office website.

You can report:

• articles, images, speeches or videos that promote terrorism or encourage violence
• content encouraging people to commit acts of terrorism
• websites made by terrorist or extremist organisations
• videos of terrorist attacks

Prevent in the community

Safeguarding is the primary objective of the Prevent Duty in Somerset. If you have any concerns that someone in your community is vulnerable or susceptible to radicalisation by extremists, please contact the Police Prevent Referral team on 01179 455 536 or email PreventSW@avonandsomerset.police.uk.

Prevent Public Sector Venue Hire and Event Booking Policy

Somerset Council will not allow its venues or spaces to be used by:

• Any group that is banned or proscribed by law
• Organisations, groups or individuals who do not conform to our values (Equality, Fairness and Inclusivity)

Accordingly, in order to safeguard our community and adhere to to the Prevent duty, private bookings for Council-owned venues or spaces will be subject to basic checks.

For more information, please refer to our Prevent Public Sector Venue Hire and Event Booking Policy.

Channel Panel

Please visit Somerset Channel Panel page for more information.

More information

Counter Terrorism Policing

An award-wining counter terrorist training course is being made available to the public for the first time. The ACT awareness eLearning package has been opened up to anyone who wants to become a counter terrorist citizen, so they can learn how to spot the signs of suspicious behaviour and understand what to do in the event of a major incident.

Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership Training Opportunities

The ACT campaign – the webpage has useful information and includes the Run Hide Tell video

Making a complaint

Complaints regarding the application of Prevent can be reported to the Standards and Compliance Unit.

The role of the Standards and Compliance Unit is to make sure anyone applying the Prevent duty, or providing training on Prevent, follows the right process and standards.

It provides a clear and accessible route for both the public and practitioners to raise concerns about the activity of Prevent.

Who can make a complaint

Anyone can make a complaint to Standards and Compliance Unit about the application of Prevent.

Complaints, concerns or feedback could be about, but not limited to:

• Training received on Prevent
• Whether an organisation is upholding the Prevent Duty
• Prevent not being delivered by an individual or organisation within the ethos of the Independent Review of Prevent and as agreed by Ministers.
• Inappropriate Prevent referrals, or missed opportunities to refer individuals.

How to make a complaint

You will find the Standards and Compliance Unit Complaints form and guidance on how to complete it on the Gov.uk website.