Prevent

Prevent is part of the UK’s counter‑terrorism strategy. Its purpose is to safeguard people who may be vulnerable to radicalisation and to stop individuals from being drawn into terrorism. Prevent focuses on early intervention by identifying concerns, offering support, and working with partners across education, health, social care, local authorities, community groups, and the police.

Prevent Objectives

  1. Safeguard and support individuals who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, ensuring they receive help at the earliest opportunity
  2. Enable organisations and frontline professionals to recognise, understand, and respond to risks of radicalisation
  3. Address the causes of radicalisation by strengthening communities, supporting integration, and reducing opportunities for extremist narratives to take hold

How we deliver the Prevent Duty in Hull

In Hull, the Prevent Duty is delivered through strong multi‑agency partnership working by Hull City Council. We work closely with schools, health services, the police, community organisations, and other statutory partners to identify vulnerabilities early and provide the right support. Our work focuses on safeguarding individuals, building community resilience, and ensuring professionals are equipped to recognise and respond to concerns. We coordinate the local Prevent Partnership, lead the Channel Panel, and oversee training, communications, and local risk assessments to make sure our approach is proportionate, transparent, and centred on early help. This joined‑up approach ensures that people who may be vulnerable to radicalisation receive support at the earliest opportunity.

Susceptibility to Radicalisation

Anyone can become vulnerable to radicalisation, regardless of age, background, or personal circumstances. There is no fixed profile of a terrorist, and people who are drawn into harmful ideologies often come from a wide range of life experiences. Vulnerability usually develops gradually and is influenced by a combination of personal, social, and online factors. These may include feelings of isolation, a desire for belonging, experiences of grievance, unmet emotional or mental‑health needs, or exposure to extremist content or individuals seeking to influence beliefs or behaviours.

Signs of susceptibility can vary from person to person. Some people may show changes in behaviour, language, interests, or online activity, while others may display more subtle shifts connected to stress, life events, or identity struggles. Importantly, being susceptible to radicalisation does not mean someone will go on to support or engage in extremism. It means they may benefit from early help, connection, and safeguarding support.

Find out more

To learn more about early signs of concern and how to seek confidential advice, please visit the ACT Early website, which provides guidance and support for family members, friends and professionals.

Indicators of susceptibility to radicalisation

There is no single route to radicalisation. There are certain behaviours you can watch out for that we often see when someone is being led down the path of extremism. These signs and vulnerabilities are not listed in any order of importance. Some of these behaviours and vulnerabilities can make a person more at risk of being exploited. Identifying them does not mean someone is being radicalised. There can be other explanations behind the behaviours you are seeing. If you are worried, then it is important to reach out for help to discuss your concerns.

  • being influence or controlled by a group
  • need for identify, meaning and belonging
  • an obsessive or angry desire for change or ‘something to be done’
  • spending an increasing amount of time online and sharing extreme view on social media
  • personal crisis
  • looking to blame others
  • desire for status of a need to dominate

Importance to act early

When we think of terrorism, we tend to think of 9/11, 7/7 and bombs going off. But this is only the end result of terrorism. It is resulting from months or years of recruitment, radicalisation, and advance planning. These hidden early aspects of terrorism can and do happen anywhere.

If you would like more information about how radicalisation happens you can access the ACT Early Website for further information and resources.

If you suspect a child, young person or adult is becoming radicalised or involved in extremism

There are many reasons that can make a young person vulnerable to exploitation by extremists. These include -

  • having a low self-esteem
  • a lack of belonging
  • feeling they have been the victim of bullying or discrimination
  • which has left them feeling isolated

Radicalisation can take place online, or face to face by someone they know including -

  • friends
  • family
  • contact with extremist groups

Sometimes curiosity can lead people to seek out the groups. It could also get them to research information they feel supports their views.

Some of the key signs to watch for are -

  • are they becoming increasingly isolated from family and friends
  • do you feel like they are talking as if from a script?
  • are they unwilling to engage with you about their views?
  • are they becoming intolerant of other people’s views?
  • are they becoming increasingly angry about issues or events they feel are unfair or unjust?
  • are they being secretive about who they are meeting online or in person?

In most cases these signs will not be linked to radicalisation and there will be other explanations for a person’s behaviour. If safe to do so, talk to them to find out what could be causing them to react in this way. Do not ignore behaviours you are concerned about.