In the second part of our feature into the Channel Programme, we look at how extremism is being defined by the authorities. And when authorities say they are safeguarding in what way are they actually doing this?

In previous years there has been a level of secrecy concerning the work of Prevent locally. But a new level of openness is being demanded by communities on the work tasked with' de-radicalisation'.

We put our questions to the Prevent team at Blackburn with Darwen Council.

What is deemed to be extremist according to the government’s anti-radicalisation programmes? Are you able to clarify this?

Extremism is defined in the Prevent strategy as ‘vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy’. 

Prevent deals with ‘extremism where terrorism draws on extremist ideas; and where people who are extremists are being drawn towards terrorism-related activity’. 
Such ideas could include the notion, promoted by both Islamist extremist and Far Right groups, that an individual cannot be both British and Muslim. 

The crux comes where that can have an influence on vulnerable people who are at risk of responding to this in a way that puts others at risk of harm and or strays into more direct action based on those views. 

The governments Counter Extremism Strategy is there to make the distinction more clearly. Extremism should not be confused with conservative views and religious freedom.

Organisations such as the Lancashire Council of Mosques have refused to take Prevent funds. What would you say about this organisation boycotting Prevent?

Lancashire Council of Mosque is an independent organisation with affiliated members and has their own independent views and observations on life.

Our role is to work with organisations and community groups in Blackburn with Darwen to facilitate constructive engagement, develop a common ground and build positive relationships.

Engagement on this whole agenda is voluntary, and we are keen on keeping dialogue with all parties to include those who have a negative view on what Prevent is and tries to do. Any opportunity to engage, learn and move forward is a good opportunity. 

Are you able to tell us if any mosques have taken part in your awareness programmes?

Mosques and madrassahs in Blackburn with Darwen have been trained on all forms of safeguarding including Prevent, honour-based violence and child sexual exploitation etc.

We have positive relationships with them and work with the council’s safeguarding team to ensure they understand their responsibilities.

How are you safeguarding young people?

We want teachers, health professionals and others to safeguard vulnerable people from the risk of radicalisation in the same way they protect people from sexual exploitation, gangs and bullying.

We want these professionals to be aware of the risk of radicalisation and know how to support vulnerable people by talking to them or referring them to Channel – a voluntary and confidential safeguarding programme - that can provide mentoring, counselling and other forms of support, when they have concerns.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and Blackburn with Darwen Council has invested in training, developing policy and working with other statutory agencies to embed Prevent within all safeguarding mechanisms.

We also recognise the crucial role communities have in keeping people safe from all forms of harm and have worked with civic and volunteer groups to enhance their knowledge and understanding of radicalisation and how they can support individuals.

We have commissioned organisations to deliver whole day workshops to give pupils and young people the opportunity to engage in a wider debate on terrorism, extremism and global geo-political challenges.
 
Young people have spoken of concerns such as the election of Donald Trump, Brexit and the Syria crisis. 

The role of the media in reinforcing negative stereotypes and prejudices is brought up over and over and the need for young people to understand real news, fake news and explore topics in greater detail.

Internet safety training for students is vital – not only from the perspective of manipulation by terrorists to radicalise online but because there is a lack of awareness of the dangers of speaking to strangers when playing online games such as Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto etc. 

Some of the groups had seen offensive avatars by other gamers whilst playing online such as Nazi and ISIS insignia as well as heard racist, homophobic comments etc. 

What do you say to anyone who feels that Prevent is alienating Muslims even more? When you mention Prevent locally there are concerns from members of the Muslim community. How do you aim to change the widely held view that it is used to spy on Muslims?

Prevent and Channel deals with all forms of extremism both Islamist and Far Right it is not just about Muslim communities. 25% of all Channel cases in 2014/15 were linked to the Far Right, and in some areas the number of far right cases constitutes the majority of cases.

The Prevent Strategy has evolved since its initial inception in 2007 as a response to the changing picture of terrorism. 

Many of the criticisms are based on how it was embedded at the beginning. The approach both locally and in other areas is based on safeguarding.

To put it into context, every year there are 621,000 child safety referrals to authorities. Prevent, which is not included in that figure, is less than one per cent of it, if compared alongside it.

Around 850 people nationally have travelled to Syria and Iraq to engage in the conflict; around half have returned and around 100 have been killed. More than 150 individuals have been supported by Prevent and stopped from travelling to the war zone. Those leaving include teenagers who should be safe at school receiving an education.

The reported death of 16 year old  Kadiza Sultana from Bethnal Green is a stark reminder of what can happen if we do not support vulnerable people before they are groomed into joining terrorist groups. We cannot survey or arrest our way to safety which is why it is important that there is trust and confidence between communities , the police and Government.

Prevent is not about spying. If a professional working with a young person is concerned they may be subject to sexual exploitation, grooming or other safeguarding risk, they have a duty to report, assess and put actions in place to protect them. 

Surveillance is a part of the Purse strand of Counter Terrorism Policing which stops terrorist attacks. 

The other two areas are to Prepare to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and to Protect against an attack.