The Prevent duty is a statutory obligation in the UK aimed at safeguarding people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It is part of the government's broader counter-terrorism strategy known as CONTEST. The duty requires specified authorities—such as higher education institutions, schools, healthcare providers, local authorities, prisons, probation services, and the police—to have due regard to the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism
. Key objectives of the Prevent duty include:
- Tackling the ideological causes of terrorism
- Intervening early to support people susceptible to radicalisation
- Enabling those already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate
What organizations must do under the Prevent duty:
- Assess risks related to radicalisation and draw up mitigation plans
- Maintain effective welfare and safeguarding systems, including links with local authorities, police, and Prevent coordinators
- Manage risks around external speakers and events while promoting freedom of speech
- Provide ongoing Prevent training for relevant staff
- Implement IT and research policies that address Prevent concerns
- Engage with students and communities to raise awareness of Prevent policies
Prevent operates through early intervention, safeguarding vulnerable individuals similarly to other safeguarding duties (e.g., protecting from substance abuse or exploitation). It also supports rehabilitation through programs like Channel and the Desistance and Disengagement Programme, which offer tailored support such as mentoring and psychological help
. Prevent is not about spying, targeting any particular religion or ethnicity, or stifling free speech; rather, it focuses on building resilience in communities and tackling terrorism in all its forms
. In summary, the Prevent duty is a legal requirement designed to identify and support individuals at risk of radicalisation to stop terrorism before it happens, while also supporting those seeking to disengage from extremist activities
