Introduction
Avon and Somerset Police have launched the Stop Terrorist and Extremist online Presence campaign in the form of the ‘Red Button’. The red button is on their homepage. It links to a feature article and signposts to the report terrorism page on the GOV.UK website
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, Islamist 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 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
All ‘specified’ authorities under the Prevent Duty must ensure that appropriate frontline staff, including those of it’s contractors, have a good understanding of Prevent are 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 GOV.UK website which gives you access to the following:
Prevent awareness – https://www.support-people-vulnerable-to-radicalisation.service.gov.uk/portal#awareness-course
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 – https://www.support-people-vulnerable-to-radicalisation.service.gov.uk/portal#referrals-course
This training shares best practice on how to articulate concerns about an individual and ensure that they are robust and considered. It aims to give confidence in making a referral. You must complete the Prevent Awareness course before undertaking this module.
Please note that the course is based on national information. In Somerset, we have a local referral process which links to existing and established safeguarding process. This chart explains our local process.
Channel or Prevent Multi-Agency Panel (PMAP) - https://www.support-people-vulnerable-to-radicalisation.service.gov.uk/portal#channel-or-prevent-multi-agency-panel-pmap-course
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 – https://www.support-people-vulnerable-to-radicalisation.service.gov.uk/portal#refresher-awareness-course
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.
Let's Talk About It
This 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.
Who to contact if you have a concern
1. To report a concern, first share your information with your Designated Safeguarding lead and follow your organisation’s due process in line with training guidelines.
If a prevent referral or further advice is required, contact the Police Prevent team
Police Prevent Team
Phone 01278 647466 – Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. For out of hours advice, phone 101
Email channelsw@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk
Prevent National Referral Form
2. For advice, support and training enquiries
Local Authority Prevent Lead – Lucy Macready, Public Health Specialist, Community Safety
Email prevent@somerset.gov.uk Note your email: For Lucy Macready, Prevent Lead
3. For safeguarding support and advice
Customer Contact
Phone 0300 123 2224 – Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm
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 perhaps the most likely and most prominent delivery method exploited by extreme groups seeking to radicalise vulnerable people into pledging support 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
The iREPORTit app
On 24 February 2021 a new mobile app was launched to support the anonymous reporting of online content of concern. The iREPORTit app has been introduced as a much simpler way to report sites of concern and is an alternative to going through the Home Office website.
There are two A4 posters which have all the information you need to get the app. To see them and to access the QR codes, just open the links below.
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 channelsw@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk
More information
Act Early – a website designed to increase awareness of the signs of radicalisation, where to go for help and support, and to increase understanding and confidence in the referral process.
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
Reporting online material promoting extremism and terrorism.
Documents