Extremism and radicalisation are very real threats to our community. It's important to be vigilant and aware, knowing what to report and reporting it.
We all have a role in protecting vulnerable children, young people and adults from being drawn into terrorism, keeping Medway and its people safe.
Find out more about:
Prevent
Prevent is a formal duty for Medway Council and Kent County Council under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
Prevent is part of the Counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST), one of the 4 elements of the Government's Counter Terrorism Strategy.
Kent County Council and Medway Council have the lead role in delivering the Prevent strategy across Kent and Medway in accordance with the Prevent Duty Guidance. They work with partners such as:
- the police
- education
- health
- other councils
- criminal justice agencies (prisons and probation).
The aims of Prevent are:
- tackling the ideological causes of terrorism
- intervening early to support people susceptible to radicalisation
- enabling people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate.
It sits alongside long-established safeguarding duties of professionals to protect people from a range of other harms, such as:
- substance abuse
- involvement in gangs
- physical and sexual exploitation.
The duty helps to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are supported as they would be under safeguarding processes.
Extremism and radicalisation in our community are very real and being aware is the first step. Prevent referrals are likely to be made in the first instance by people who encounter those who appear to be at risk of being radicalised.
There is no single model of a person’s radicalisation journey or single profile of a radicalised person. Frontline professionals, when deciding whether to make a referral, should consider whether they believe the person they're concerned about may be on a pathway that could lead to terrorism.
To find out more about making a referral, complete the Prevent duty training and contact your Kent and Medway Prevent team by emailing prevent@kent.gov.uk.
Prevent works with individuals and communities by using voluntary early intervention to encourage them to challenge extremist and terrorist ideology and behaviour. This can involve:
- support in schools, youth clubs and community groups
- promoting positive values and community cohesion
- protection from extremist dialogues
- encourage safe and open debate and critical thinking
- encouraging reporting of concerns
- engage in positive activities
- engaging in open and honest dialogue around Prevent.
While it's rare for children and young people to become involved in terrorist activity, young people from an early age can be exposed to terrorist and extremist influences or prejudiced views. As with other forms of safeguarding strategies, early intervention is always preferable.
Prevent and hate crimes
Terrorist attacks can sadly lead to spikes in hate crimes against certain groups, and many people in communities across the country are likely to feel vulnerable.
Such action is not tolerated, is taken extremely seriously, and should always be reported.
Channel
Channel is a key element of the Prevent Strategy and Local Authority Channel Panels are a statutory requirement under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act (CTSA) 2015.
Channel is a multi-agency programme across England and Wales that provides support to people susceptible to becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
The person (or their parent or legal guardian, if under 18) referred to it must give consent before any support can be provided under Channel. The overall aim of the programme is early intervention and diverting people away from potential risk.
The Kent and Medway Channel Panel involves agencies working together to give individuals access to services such as:
- health and education
- specialist mentoring
- diversionary activities.
Channel can provide theological or ideological mentoring. For those requiring support, an appropriate package is offered based on an assessment of their vulnerability.
How to report concerns
If you have an immediate concerns about the welfare of any persons, call the police on 999.
Make a referral
Unlike mainstream safeguarding for adults and children, there is no threshold to make a Prevent referral for an individual to access assessment and specialist support. There may be cases that require a safeguarding response in conjunction with Prevent.
If you have any concerns or are unsure about making a referral then discuss it with your organisation's:
- safeguarding lead
- Prevent lead
- Kent and Medway Prevent Team by emailing prevent@kent.gov.uk
- contact the Kent and Medway Prevent and Channel Manager, Jess Harman: jess.harmon@kent.gov.uk.
Download and complete a Prevent referral
What happens next
You must submit your completed form by emailing it to preventreferrals@kent.police.uk.
Where possible, you'll receive a response on your referral.
You can also:
- report online material promoting terrorism or extremism
- call the Act Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764
- call the anti-terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, a police non-emergency number is available as a text phone service on 18001 101. In an emergency, call 999.
Support Prevent
To help support Prevent, you must:
- be vigilant - radicalisation is usually a process, not an event, and factors or events may contribute towards the radicalisation of an individual
- familiarise yourself with the factors that contribute towards radicalisation and how to make a Prevent referral
- make sure that you're up to date with your Prevent training and have a clear understanding of the Prevent Duty, how to make Prevent referrals as well as knowing who your Prevent lead is for your organisation - and check that they're receiving regular updates
- complete Prevent e-learning
- email Kent and Medway Prevent team for further training (prevent@kent.gov.uk)
- read the Kent and Medway Prevent team training offer
- read the education information for Prevent from KELSI
- read the Prevent leaflet.
Prevent is a shared responsibility. Do not rely on others, report any concerns you have immediately.
Kent and Medway Prevent Team
Assistant Director Contest and Serious Organised Crime - Nick Wilkinson
Strategic lead for Prevent and Channel at Kent County Council, Chair of Kent and Medway Channel Panel. Chair of Southeast Prevent and Channel Chairs meeting. Lead officer for Kent Community Safety Agreement priority of Preventing Extremism and Hate.
Email: nick.wilkinson@kent.gov.uk
Prevent and Channel Manager - Jess Harman
Coordinates Prevent activity across Kent and Medway. Promotes the Prevent Strategy across both statutory and non-statutory partners. Develops and oversees a partnership Prevent plan and Counter Terrorism risk assessment. Delivers Prevent training to a range of agencies.
Email: jess.harman@kent.gov.uk
Prevent Community Engagement Officer (PCEO) - Nadine Permaul
Supporting Kent and Medway communities and encouraging engagement with Prevent. Promoting awareness and addressing misconceptions of Prevent to build resilience and confidence within communities. Improving outreach and awareness and working with partners to ensure local and emerging needs are addressed.
Email: Nadine.Permaul@kent.gov.uk
Prevent Education Officers (PEO) - Sally Green (Medway and North/West Kent) and Rachel Murray (South and East Kent)
Supporting educational establishments across Kent and Medway up to secondary level to implement Prevent through teaching, training and guidance. Partnership working with the Department of Education and network of PEOs.
Emails: sally.green2@kent.gov.uk and Rachel.Murray@kent.gov.uk
For regular updates follow Kent County Council and Medway Prevent on Facebook.