We must all work together to challenge terrorism and extremism of all kinds and stop the damage it can cause to individuals, families, and communities.
To mark Counter Terrorism Awareness Week (28 November to 4 December), we are highlighting the ‘Prevent’ work being delivered in the city – and how you can play your part.
Prevent is one of the four strands of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Strategy and is a statutory duty for local authorities. Prevent is about stopping people from joining in or supporting all forms of terrorism – right wing as well as those inspired by or affiliated to Daesh or Al-Qaida kind of groups.
Prevent is about supporting vulnerable individuals through care-based interventions before the risk of illegality occurs. It works in a pre-criminal space. It is also about supporting community resilience to challenge extremist and terrorist ideologies.
In Brighton & Hove, the Prevent Board coordinates activities with our partners to tackle and reduce these risks. They work with our communities to develop resilience to extremist influences which support terrorism.
Online media has been identified as an important tool in the sharing of extreme material with vulnerable people and groups are actively using social media to inform, share propaganda, radicalise and recruit to their cause.
The local authority are encouraging all residents to do at least one of the three suggested activities below and ‘think Prevent’.
Together we stand for our ‘City Values’ based on pluralism, equality, fairness, and respect for all. The‘One Voice’ Partnership has sums up the ethos:
“Our communities stand together and will not tolerate hate incidents, extremist perspective or actions in the city. We do not tolerate violence against innocent people, wherever it takes place.”
Three ways you can get involved…
If you are concerned about an individual, please seek advice from the Prevent team by emailing Channel.Prevent@brighton-hove.gcsx.gov.uk
Concerned parents and adults can contact the NSPCC free helpline on 0808 800 5000 24 hours a day, seven days a week and speak with trained staff. The NSPCC’s counsellors will offer information, advice and counselling to adults concerned about their child being radicalised, and can support parents on how to talk to their children about issues concerning terrorism.
Has needs met within universal provision. May need limited intervention within the setting to avoid needs arising.
Has additional needs identified within the setting that can be met within identified resources through a single agency response and partnership working.
Has multiple needs requiring a multi-agency coordinated response.
Has a high level of unmet & complex needs, or is in need of protection.