All about Prevent

The Prevent strategy forms one of four strands of the UK Government's Counter-Terrorism strategy, known as CONTEST. The UK faces a continuing threat from both international and domestic terrorism. The Prevent strategy aims to disrupt extremist organisations from operating within our communities.

Violent extremism can emerge from any community and can be inspired by a wide range of causes. Whilst Al-Qaeda inspired Islamist extremism still undoubtedly poses a threat to the UK, the Prevent strategy also seeks to combat extremism motivated by the extreme right wing, as well as extremism motivated by single issues such as animal rights. Accordingly, the Prevent strategy does not stigmatise any community.

Similar to strategies in child protection and combating racism, Prevent is driven by a multitude of groups with influence at the local level. A number of groups contribute to the strategy, from the Police and other emergency services, to Local Government and Councils, local businesses and voluntary groups, to members of the general public. Each of these groups has an instrumental role to play in monitoring the resilience of our local communities to the threat posed by extremism. Members of the public can play an instrumental role in preventing extremist groups from operating within their communities.

No-one is better placed than members of the public to notice potential extremist activity taking place within their own community. Potential extremist activity can be noticed in many forms. The following list provides some possible examples. This list is not exhaustive and is intended for illustrative purposes only.

• Distributing leaflets or displaying posters that carry a violent extremist message.

• Accessing violent extremist forums or websites in internet cafes.

• Extremist groups meeting at community centres.

• Viewing terrorist/violent extremist promotional videos.

Incidents such as these can be reported to Surrey Police Special Branch via the Surrey Police Switchboard on 0845 125 2222.

Extremist activity can also be reported through the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. The line is confidential, anonymous and intended for the reporting of non-life threatening activity. To report potentially immediate threats, such as a suspicious vehicle or package, always call 999.