The aim of Prevent is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It also aims to support the rehabilitation and disengagement of people who are already involved in terrorism.

The strategy seeks to:

1. Tackle the ideological causes of terrorism.
2. Intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation.
3. Work with sectors where there is a risk of radicalisation, including schools, colleges, universities, health services, prisons, and local authorities.

See below a link to the PREVENT duty guidance:

Walsall context

The Prevent Coordinator for Walsall Borough is Niall Markham. His role is to provide support to all partner agencies across all key stages, delivering Prevent activity to increase people’s resilience to terrorism. Niall also takes responsibility to lead on engagement with all statutory bodies.

One of the main purposes of the role is to identify vulnerabilities and risk, deliver training, capacity build and maintain a network of contacts within the local area to advance Prevent activity.

 The main job purpose is as follows: 

• Responsible for the implementation of the Prevent Duty locally, as directed within the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act.
• To coordinate all Prevent activity on behalf of Walsall Local Authority.
• To promote Prevent across both statutory and non-statutory partners.
• To develop, maintain and drive the delivery of a Prevent Delivery Plan, in collaboration with relevant statutory partners.
• To ensure strong governance arrangements are in place to oversee the work at a local level and maintain strong links with the Office for Security and Counterterrorihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjAmB0UHnHEsm (OSCT).
• Ensure all monitoring and compliance requirements are met in full both locally and with OSCT.
• To liaise with OSCT and other Prevent personnel on a local, regional and national basis.
• To provide a local connection to the local and regional Police CTU.
• To deliver WRAP and associated training, as required, and support compliance.

 

Spotting the signs of radicalisation:

Radicalisation can be really difficult to spot. Signs that may indicate a child is being radicalised include:

• • isolating themselves from family and friends
  • talking as if from a scripted speech
  • unwillingness or inability to discuss their views
  • a sudden disrespectful attitude towards others
  • increased levels of anger
  • increased secretiveness, especially around internet use.

Children who are at risk of radicalisation may have low self-esteem, or be victims of bullying or discrimination. Extremists might target them and tell them they can be part of something special, later brainwashing them into cutting themselves off from their friends and family.

However, these signs don’t necessarily mean a child is being radicalised – it may be normal teenage behaviour or a sign that something else is wrong.

How can children become radicalised online?

Internet Matters

^{How to talk to children and young people about radicalisation:}

It is important to talk to children and young people about radicalisation.