Information on the Prevent and Channel programmes which support people who are at risk of becoming drawn into terrorism.
About Prevent
Prevent is a national programme that:
- Safeguards people and communities from the threat of terrorism
- Covers all forms of terrorism and extremism
Prevent is part of CONTEST, the government's counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism and violent extremism.
The Prevent duty was introduced to make sure that the same approach is taken by all authorities in the UK. It will also help to stop terrorism by responding to the ideological challenge of terrorism.
Find out more about the Prevent programme (GOV.UK).
If you're concerned that someone may be at risk of radicalisation, you should follow the “Notice, Check, Share” approach:
1) Notice changes in behaviour, language, or other warning signs. Signs could be:
- Accessing extremist content online
- Expressing hateful or divisive views
- Using extremist symbols or language
- Promoting ideologies or attending related meetings
- Travelling to, or stating a desire to travel to areas of conflict
2) Check your concern with your line manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead, who may decide to make a referral and can support you with this
3) Share your concern through the appropriate referral pathways (see below)
What to do if you have a concern
If you're worried about someone or notice suspicious activity, you can report it:
- Online: Act Campaign (GOV.UK)
- Anonymous online reporting: iREPORTit app which you can download free on Apple or Android devices
- True Vision: Reporting terrorist activity (True Vision)
- Phone (Confidential): 0800 789 321
- Email: Complete the document National Prevent referral form(60 KB) and send it to PreventSW@avonandsomerset.police.uk
In an emergency: Call 999
Prevent in Bristol
Prevent in Bristol is about early intervention and prevention.
This includes understanding community concerns, grievances and potential drivers that might lead to people engaging in extremist activities.
We engage with local communities, groups and organisations across the city. This is so that we can collectively deliver activities to support individuals who may be vulnerable to radicalisation and extremism.
To do this, we are:
- supporting local community projects
- providing training and awareness around radicalisation
- safeguarding those who may be affected
About Channel
If someone is referred to Prevent and it's decided that they're at risk of being radicalised, they may be offered support through a voluntary programme called Channel.
Channel is a programme that we lead, which focuses on supporting and safeguarding people at an early stage who could be susceptible to being drawn into terrorism.
It ensures people of any age, faith, ethnicity, or background receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by individuals or groups seeking to exploit them for the purposes of terrorism or any illegal extremist activity.
Channel is a confidential and voluntary process that allows individuals to have the final say of accepting support or not.
The type of support that's provided is decided upon by the individual referred and partners who will work with them. This ensures that any support that is provided is tailored to the person's needs.
Support may be with education, employment, housing, mental health, and any other necessary challenges.
Ideological support is also common, which may include discussion with credible ideological experts and faith leaders.
Individuals who are referred to Prevent or receive support from Channel are not criminalised and will not receive a criminal record unless a criminal offence is committed.
The Channel team will only engage with an individual with their written consent.
For information on how we use any information we collect as a part of this process, the statutory duty for processing data related to Prevent and Channel can be found in our pdf Prevent and Channel privacy notice(224 KB) .
Prevent leaflets
Download our prevent leaflets and translated documents: