Prevent is part of the UK’s Counter Terror strategy known as CONTEST. It operates in a non-criminal space and is about supporting and protecting those people that might be susceptible to radicalisation, ensuring that individuals are diverted away before any crime is committed.

The objectives of Prevent are to:

• Tackle the causes of radicalisation and respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism.
• Safeguard and support those most at risk of radicalisation through early intervention, identifying them and offering support.
• Enable those who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate.

Prevent covers all forms of terrorism and extremism, including:

• Religious – extreme or militant religious groups
• Political – including extreme far right and extreme far left groups
• Northern Ireland Related Terrorism (NIRT)
• Mixed Unclear Unstable or Conflicted Ideology – where someone becomes fixated on more than one type of extremism or terrorism. E.g., an interest in extreme far right and extreme Islamist ideologies even though they seem opposing.

Also included within this category are the following:

• School Massacre/mass harm – where someone might not have a clear ‘ideology’ but thinks about doing harm to a lot of people.
• Incel subculture: where 'involuntary celibates' may think about harming others, usually women / girls, who do not want to have relationships with them. This subculture mainly has an online presence, defining themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one. Discussions in incel forums are often characterised by resentment, misogyny, self-pity and self-loathing, racism, a sense of entitlement to sex and the endorsement of violence against sexually active people. Sources report that Incels are mostly male, heterosexual and are predominantly white.

Channel is a programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It is one intervention that sits in the Prevent strategy.

The Channel Panel is a multi-agency group of professionals who work together to identify individuals at risk, assess the nature and extent of the risk, and support individuals through the most appropriate route.

There is no single route to radicalisation. However, there are certain behaviours you can watch out for that we often see when someone is being led down the path of extremism. These signs and vulnerabilities are not listed in any order of importance. Our experience shows that some of these behaviours and vulnerabilities can make a person more at risk of being exploited. Identifying them doesn't necessarily mean someone is being radicalised. There can be other explanations behind the behaviours you are seeing. If you are worried, then act early and reach out for help to discuss your concerns.

• Being influenced or controlled by a group
• An obsessive or angry desire for change or ‘something to be done’
• Spending an increasing amount of time online and sharing extreme views on social media.
• Personal crisis
• Need for identity, meaning and belonging
• Mental health issues which could lead to someone being more vulnerable
• Looking to blame others
• Desire for status, need to dominate

If you need to speak to someone about a Prevent issue or want to make a referral you should speak to your safeguarding lead, the Derbyshire Police Prevent Team for advice on 0300 122 8694, the County Council Prevent Lead via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (opens in a new window) then make a referral via the referral form (opens in a new window).

Links and Resources

• Act Early (opens in a new window) campaign website that includes advice on how to spot the signs of radicalisation, tips for holding conversations and details of how to report concerns
• Derbyshire Constabulary (opens in a new window): Advice and information on Prevent
• Safer Derbyshire (opens in a new window) provides information on terrorism and extremism
• Free, impartial information and advice for the public and small businesses on keeping safe and secure online. Contains specific sections on Online Radicalisation - Get Safe Online (opens in a new window).