How the Prevent Duty Supports Those at Risk of Radicalisation
The Prevent Duty is a government initiative that greatly impacts the everyday lives of individuals. The goal behind the Prevent policy is to safeguard individuals from the grips of radicalisation and potential involvement in terrorist activities. But how does this impact you and the world around you?
The importance of Prevent extends beyond government offices and security agencies, it changes the dynamics of our community, ensuring a safer environment. This initiative is part of the government’s overarching counter-terrorism strategy, titled Contest, which was implemented in the wake of the 7/7 bombings in London. Over the years, the policy has been revised and updated to better combat the evolving face of terrorism.
Legally, certain authorities are required to adhere to the Prevent duty, which necessitates them to take measures to prevent individuals from being lured into terrorist activities. This involves the implementation of effective processes and procedures that help identify and provide support to those at potential risk of radicalisation.
Quite often, there are observable signs when someone is undergoing radicalisation – changes in behaviour or appearance, growing isolation from family and friends, or voicing extreme or radical views. These signals are vital in identifying and helping individuals at risk. For more information on the signs of radicalisation check out our articles How to Recognise the Signs of Radicalisation and Extremism in Your Workplace and How to Spot Signs of Radicalisation and Extremism at Home.
The Prevent Duty encourages you to be vigilant and proactive. If you suspect someone you know is showing signs of radicalisation, the Prevent Duty implores you to take action by contacting local law enforcement or your local Prevent coordinator for advice and support. For more advice, take a look at our article on what to do if you think someone has been radicalised. The safety of our community depends on our collective efforts. Through the implementation of Prevent, together we can create an environment that is safer and secure from the threats of terrorism.
Original post published 20/4/2022 by Chris Dolman. Updated by Laura Murray on 14/05/2024
Laura Murray
Laura is our IT & Design Officer and is involved in anything IT or design related. She is also the supervisor of the Admin Team who keep things running smoothly here at HBTC. Laura is dedicated to ensuring systems and processes run as effortlessly as possible in the most visually appealing way.