The Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015, became law in February 2015 and, amongst other things, introduced a Prevent Duty.

Under this legislation, we are required to:

• understand the risks locally and have an action plan to address those risks
• establish a channel panel so that any individuals of potential concern can be referred for appropriate support and intervention

The Prevent Duty is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism by working with individuals before they become radicalised and commit an offence by supporting or carrying out an act of extremism or violent extremism.

For more information, read our Prevent Strategy PDF, 143KB.

Reporting concerns

If you have concerns about someone you know supporting extremism and acts of terrorism, let us know.  Use the contact details below or view our list of prevent leads for your organisation or area PDF, 140KB.

Concerns about an adult

Email: safeguardingadults@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0800 137 915 

Concerns about a child

Email: cypfirstresponse@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01296 383 962

Outside normal office hours: Ring the Emergency Duty Team on 0800 999 7677

Reporting online terrorist and extremist material

Report illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos you’ve found on the internet. You can make your report anonymously.

Visit Gov.uk to Report online terrorism.

Keeping safe

Be alert, not alarmed - The risk that you will be caught up in a terrorist act is very small. However, by working together we can reduce that risk still further.  So, if you think something is suspicious, trust your instincts and report it. Thames Valley Police have provided some useful information about what to look out for and how to report it.

Stay Safe - If, in the unlikely event you find yourself caught up in an attack:

• RUN and escape if you can, if not
• HIDE behind something substantial, where the attackers cannot see you, silence your mobile and, if you can do so safely,
• TELL the police what's going on by dialling 999

Further information is available on following the Stay Safe principles in the event of an attack, and current terrorism threat levels to the UK and what they mean .

If you are thinking of travelling abroad, it would be advisable to check out the Foreign and Commonwealth's website for advice when planning a trip and again immediately before you travel.

Below are details of organisations and initiatives that you may find helpful as parents, carers or families.

Educate Against Hate

educateagainsthate.com

This website gives parents, teachers and school leaders practical advice on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.

NSPCC

nspcc.org.uk

The NSPP offer a free, 24-hour helpline to provide support to adults who have concerns about children and young people being radicalised or who need advice on how to talk to their children about issues related to terrorism. Telephone 0808 800 5000

The Times and the NSCP- How should you talk to your children about terrorism?

Let's Talk About It

ltai.info

An initiative designed to provide practical help and guidance to the public in order to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Project Griffin

met.police.uk/projectgriffin

A police initiative to protect our cities and communities from the threat of terrorism. Project Griffin brings together and coordinates the resources of the police, emergency services, local authorities, business and private sector security industry.

FAST – Families Against Stress and Trauma

familiesmatter.org.uk

UK-based organisation created in 2007 to help families affected by a loved one travelling to Syria and Iraq. They provide support to vulnerable families and individuals because they understand the pain and distress it causes to those left behind. FAST believes that families matter and families make a difference.

Bucks Safeguarding Children Board

bucks-lscb.org.uk

Provides advice for families on radicalisation including 'what do I need to know' and 'what do I need to look out for'.

Bucks Safeguarding Adults Board

buckinghamshirepartnership.gov.uk

Provides advice for carers and families on adult exploitation.

Channel is a process to provide support to people at risk of being drawn towards support for or involvement in all forms of terrorism including that which is perpetrated by the extreme far-right. It is a multi-agency process that relies on close collaboration between public sector agencies including Thames Valley Police, the Clinical Commissioning Groups, Youth Offending Service, Mental Health Trust and the Probation Service. The aim of the Channel Panel is to protect and divert individuals away from radicalisation before they have been drawn into terrorism, keeping the individual and the wider community safe. Channel is not specifically aimed at young people but they can be particularly susceptible and therefore vulnerable to being influenced by extremist views.

How does Channel work?

The Channel process identifies those most at risk of radicalisation, and refers them via the police or local authority for assessment by a multi-agency panel. The Channel panel, co-chaired by Thames Valley Police and Buckinghamshire Council, considers how to best support them through a package tailored to their needs.

How do I make a referral or find out more about Channel?

If you would like to discuss your concerns about a child or adult at risk of radicalisation, find out more about what the Channel Panel does, discuss other issues in relation to the Prevent Duty (including finding out what training is available) please contact the most relevant Prevent lead for your organisation/area. If you would like to make a referral direct to the police or discuss concerns about an individual with the police, please contact Thames Valley Police (details below).

View this leaflet for an overview of how Channel works for professionals.

Concerns about an adult

Safeguarding First Response safeguardingadults@buckinghamshire.gov.uk – 0800 137 915

Concerns about a child

First Response cypfirstresponse@buckinghamshire.gov.uk – 01296 383 962

Concerns out of hours adult/child – out of hours

Emergency duty team – 0800 999 7677

Prevent Team at Thames Valley Police

preventreferrals@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools and Higher & Further Education?

From July 2015 schools and Higher & Further education have a duty to safeguard children and adults from radicalisation and extremism. This means schools have a responsibility to protect children from violent and extremist views the same way they protect them from drugs or gang violence. Importantly, schools can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.

What does this mean in practice?

Many of the things already happening in schools help children become positive, happy members of society, contributing to the Prevent strategy.

These include:

• Learning about other cultures and religions and promoting diversity
• Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy.
• Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity.
• Challenging prejudices and racial comments

Schools also protect from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet to make sure they can’t access extremist and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils. Overall, each school has the ability to carry out the Prevent duty differently, depending on the age of the children and the needs of the community.

Why is it important for schools to discuss extremism?

Exploring ideas, developing a sense of identity and forming views are a normal part of growing up. Schools can support young people in this by providing a safe environment for discussing controversial issues and encouraging them to express their views while learning to appreciate the impact those views can have on others. Recognising that young people can be exposed to extremist influences or prejudiced views, particularly through the internet and social media, schools can help support and protect them from these extreme views in the same ways they help to safeguard children from gangs, drugs or alcohol.