Find out what to do if you're worried about someone showing early signs of radicalisation and how to report it.
What is PREVENT?
PREVENT is about working together to safeguard and support people who might be vulnerable to radicalisation. Prevent is one of the four elements of CONTEST, the government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
What does PREVENT do?
- We provide practical help to prevent children and adults from being drawn into terrorism and ensure people at risk are given advice and support.
- PREVENT responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism and the threat we face from those who promote these views.
- PREVENT works with a wide range of sectors including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health, where there are risks of radicalisation.
What to look out for
Radicalisation is the process in which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person being drawn into terrorism.
The process of radicalisation may involve:
- being groomed online or in person
- exploitation, including sexual exploitation
- psychological manipulation
- exposure to violent material and other inappropriate information
- the risk of physical harm or death through extremist acts
If a person is being radicalised, their day-to-day behaviour may become increasingly centred around an extremist ideology, group or cause. Some of the signs of radicalisation could be:
- spend increasing amounts of time talking to people with extreme views (this includes online and offline communication)
- changing their style of dress or personal appearance
- losing interest in friends and activities that are not associated with the extremist ideology, group or cause
- possessing material or symbols associated with an extreme cause
- trying to recruit others to join the cause
I'm concerned someone is at risk of radicalisation. What should I do?
Report your concerns to the local authority that the person you're worried about lives. You can find the contact numbers and where to get in touch below.
Remember: PREVENT does not criminalise those who are referred. We aim to safeguard and help those at risk.
Report your concerns
If the person you're worried about lives in Gateshead:
If the person is an adult call 0191 433 7033 or visit https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4816/
If the person is a child call 0191 433 2653 or visit https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/3948/
If the person you're worried about lives in Newcastle:
Call 0191 277 2072 or 07710 845366
Email: prevent@newcastle.gov.uk
If the person you're worried about lives in North Tyneside:
Call 0345 2000 109
Or email: childrenandadultcontactcentre@northtyneside.gov.uk
North Tyneside Front Door Service: If you're unsure whether to make a report your concerns you can contact the 'front door service' and speak to someone to discuss the situation. They will advise on what to do next.
Call 0345 2000 109
Call 0191 200 6800 (out of hours)
If the person you're worried about lives in Northumberland:
Call 01670 536400
Emergency duty team on 0345 6005252
Or email: prevent@northumberland.gov.uk
If the person you're concerned about is a child visit: https://online.northumberland.gov.uk/citizenportal/form.aspx?form=SafeGuardingchild
If the person you're concerned about is an adult visit: https://online.northumberland.gov.uk/citizenportal/form.aspx?form=SafeGuardingAdult
If the person you're worried about lives in South Tyneside:
If the person is an adult call the Let's Talk team on 0191 4246000. Make sure you state that are making a referral under 'prevent'.
If the person is a child or young person call the South Tyneside ISIT (Integrated Safeguarding and Information Team) on 0191 4245010 or out of hours team on 0191 4562093. Make sure you state that you are making a referral under 'prevent'.
Or email: letstalk@southtyneside.gov.uk
If the person you're worried about lives in Sunderland:
If the person is an adult visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/safeguarding or call 0191 5205552
If the person is a child or young person visit www.togetherforchildren.org.uk/what-we-do-concerned or call 0191 561 7007 (available 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday - Thursday, 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday) or call the out of hours team on 0191 520 5552 (also available 24 hours Saturday and Sunday).
If you have a general query or concern that you would like to discuss with the Northumbria PREVENT team you can do so in the following ways:-
• Email specialbranch@northumbria.pnn.police.uk
• Contact a member of the team on 0191 437 4526 or 0191 437 4525
**Please note these contacts are not monitored outside of normal office hours Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm and should only be used for general enquiries**
If your query is out of hours and you're concerned about someone, you should contact us by using our online form below or by calling 101
Is it an emergency?
Does it feel like the situation could get heated or violent very soon? Is someone in immediate danger? Do you need support right away? If so, please call 999 now.
What will happen after I make a report of concern?
- An assessment will be carried out which will identify the risk that may be associated to the person as well as any vulnerability that they may have
- Factors will then be addressed by local authority and other partners. The purpose is to build a tailored support package to divert the person away from the concerning behaviour
- This process is about working to help someone who may be drawn towards an offending pathway at the earliest possible stage
- PREVENT does not deal with people who are offending
- This is a safeguarding process and does NOT involve criminal investigations
Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism
If you've come across illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos online. You can make a report anonymously.
Interested to know more?
ACT Early is an initiative designed to provide practical help and advice to the public in order to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
To find out more about how to help someone close to you:
The Home Office offers e-Learning training on PREVENT. This offers an introduction on what PREVENT is and explains how we aim to safeguard vulnerable people from being radicalised.
