Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership

Violent Extremism and Radicalisation (Prevent)

How to make a Prevent referral or report a concern about terrorism

If you are worried about anyone who is at risk of being radicalised by people who are involved in, or support, terrorism please contact:

If you consider anything to be suspicious or connected with terrorism, contact Cumbria Police on the non-emergency number 101.

Referrals to the Prevent Programme

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from radicalisation and involvement in terrorism

Vulnerable people, including children, young people and adults can be exploited by people who seek to involve them in terrorism or activity in support of terrorism.

In Westmorland and Furness, this exploitation is recognised by all partners, including the Police as a potential safeguarding issue. Guidance has been produced for all professionals working with children and adults for whom there are concerns that they are vulnerable and at risk of becoming involved in violent extremist activity.

We have a policy on Radicalisation, Terrorist and Extremist Ideology

If you have any concerns or need advice contact:

concern@lancashire.pnn.police.uk
Call the Prevent Team 01772 413 398

IF YOU SUSPECT IT, REPORT IT!

Training

Mandatory training for all staff who work with children/young people and their families in Westmorland and Furness .

Prevent duty training: Learn how to support people susceptible to radicalisation - Prevent sits alongside long-established safeguarding duties on professionals to protect people from a range of other harms such as substance abuse, involvement in gangs and physical and sexual exploitation. Prevent is one part of the government's overall counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST.

Prevent strategy

The counter-terrorism strategy employed by the Government is known as CONTEST. Prevent is one part of the strategy and aims to stop people from becoming radicalised which may lead to them being involved in terrorism.

The strategy promotes collaboration and co-operation among public sector organisations, their partners and local communities to deal with this issue.

Prevent is like any other safeguarding issue (e.g. gangs, bullying, sexual exploitation). 
Prevent works in a non-criminal space to safeguard people  who are at risk or susceptible to radicalisation and stop them from becoming so radicalised they seek to harm other and themselves.

Channel: multi-agency approach

The multi-agency approach to protect people at risk from radicalisation is called Channel. This uses existing collaboration between local authorities, statutory partners (such as the education and health sectors, social care, children and youth services, specialist youth service and offender management services), the police and the local community to: 

  • identify individuals at risk of radicalisation or involvement in terrorism
  • assess the nature and extent of that risk
  • develop the most appropriate support plan for the individuals concerned

Channel is about safeguarding children and adults from being drawn into involvement in terrorism. It is about early intervention to address vulnerabilities, and divert people from harm.

Within Westmorland and Furness, a multi-agency panel of experts, chaired by the local authority, meets on a monthly basis to discuss referrals to the Channel Panel. The purpose of this meeting is to put in place a package of measures to support individuals who are at risk of becoming radicalised.

Action to Counter Terrorism (ACT)

Communities defeat terrorism. With the enduring terrorist threat, it is now more important than ever that everyone plays their part in tackling terrorism. Your actions could save lives.

Don't worry about wasting police time. No call or click will be ignored. What you tell the police is treated in the strictest confidence and is thoroughly researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.

Any piece of information could be important, it is better to be safe and report. Remember, trust your instincts and ACT.

The following websites provide more information and resource to support ACT:

New Interim Guidance on Non-Ideological Extreme Violence (NIEV)

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Please see below a brief summary of the recently published Home Office interim guidance on Non-Ideological Extreme Violence (NIEV) for wider safeguarding partners.

The guidance has been developed following concerns highlighted by the Southport attack and other cases involving individuals who presented a risk of serious violence without a clear ideological motivation. Its purpose is to help practitioners identify concerns earlier, improve information sharing, and ensure that risks are managed consistently through existing local safeguarding, public protection and partnership arrangements.

Key points include:

  • NIEV is defined as the use or threat of extreme violence that is not driven by a clear ideological purpose but is intended to shock, intimidate or outrage the public or a section of the public.
  • There is no single profile or pathway to NIEV. Factors may include intense grievance, hatred of society, fascination with violence, personal vulnerabilities, and engagement with online environments that normalise or celebrate violence. These factors should not be viewed in isolation.
  • The guidance applies where there are concerns about extreme violence, but the individual is not considered at risk of becoming involved in or supporting terrorism. Existing safeguarding, public protection and risk management arrangements should be used to assess and manage concerns.
  • The guidance does not create new statutory duties or structures. Instead, it reinforces the importance of partnership working, clear risk ownership, lawful information sharing and escalation where risks remain unresolved.
  • Prevent remains the appropriate route where there are concerns that a person may become involved in or support terrorism. A clearly identifiable ideology is not required for a Prevent referral. Where there is uncertainty, partners should continue to consider whether a Prevent referral is appropriate.
  • The guidance emphasises that where an individual does not meet the threshold for Prevent support, this should not be interpreted as meaning there is no wider risk of violence or harm, and appropriate local arrangements should be used to manage any ongoing concerns.

The Home Office has asked local authorities to ensure that the guidance and accompanying factsheet are shared with relevant safeguarding leads and wider safeguarding partnerships.

Non-Ideological Interim Guidance Factsheet - October 2026 (PDF , 92KB)

Non-Ideological Extreme Violence Interim Guidance - October 2026 (PDF , 194KB)

Further resources and guidance:

  • Cumbria Police - If you believe there is an immediate threat to life or safety, move to a place of safety and call 999 immediately.
  • Reporting information about possible terrorist or extremist activity helps us prevent terrorism and protect the public. Any information, no matter how small, could be vital. Even if you are unsure, please report your concerns so that they can be assessed. Action will only be taken once the necessary checks have been completed.
  • Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) - Suspicious Activity - Report possible terrorist or extremist activity. If you have seen or heard anything that could be related to terrorism, trust your instincts and report it. Your actions could help save lives.
  • Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) - Act Early - It can be difficult to know how to respond if you are concerned that someone close to you is expressing extreme views or hatred, which could put themselves or others at risk. Through a Home Office programme called Prevent, the police work with partner organisations to protect vulnerable people from being exploited by extremists.
  • Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) - What you can do - Counter Terrorism Policing, in collaboration with the PSHE Association and Girlguiding, has produced a Run, Hide, Tell resource pack for teachers. The pack is designed to help inform 11–16 year olds on how to respond appropriately in the event of a gun or knife terror attack. The resource includes training films, lesson plans for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, and guidance for teachers on how to deliver the material confidently and safely.
  • NSPCC - A free 24-hour service has been launched to support adults who are concerned about children and young people being radicalised, or who need advice on how to discuss issues related to terrorism with their children. Practitioners on the NSPCC helpline have been trained to recognise the warning signs of radicalisation and can provide guidance to adults worried that a child may be at risk of grooming. The training covers how extremists might befriend vulnerable young people, influence them with harmful ideologies, or persuade them to commit terrorist acts. If you are concerned, you can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit their website.
  • Educate Against Hate - Practical advice and information on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.
  • The Prevent Duty: Safeguarding learners vulnerable to radicalisation (guidance) - Support for those working in education settings with safeguarding responsibilities.