How many under-18s referred to Prevent programme and why?
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More children and young teenagers are being referred to the Prevent programme in England and Wales per year than at any point since recent records began – although the number who are then judged as needing help has fallen. Here the PA news agency looks at the latest data for under-18s being referred to Prevent and its different stages.
– How are people referred to Prevent?. Individuals can be referred to Prevent if they are thought to be in danger of becoming terrorists or of supporting terror activity by being susceptible to radicalisation. Local authorities, schools, colleges, universities, health bodies, prisons, probation organisations and the police are all required by law to safeguard people from being drawn into terrorism, but members of the public can also raise concerns about individuals by contacting these organisations directly.
– How many under-18s are being referred?. A total of 3,918 people under the age of 18 in England and Wales were referred to Prevent in 2023/24, according to Home Office figures. This is up from 3,773 in 2022/23 and is the highest number for this age group since current data began in 2016/17.
Under-18s accounted for 57% of all referrals to Prevent in the 12 months to March 2024, up from 55% in 2022/23 and again the highest proportion since 2016/17, when it stood at 48%. Of the 3,918 under-18s referred in 2023/24, 2,729 were aged 11 to 15, 892 were 16 or 17-years-old, and 297 were aged 10 or under.
