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Children's commissioner criticizes Prevent scheme
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The gist
England's children's commissioner says 71% of child Prevent referrals lack clear ideology. She urges stronger safeguarding for violence-fixated youth.
Background
Prevent is a UK government program designed to safeguard vulnerable people from radicalization. Referrals involving children have risen from 2,918 in 2016-17 to 4,715 in 2024-25. The report follows the Southport attack, where the perpetrator had been referred to Prevent three times but was closed due to lack of clear ideology.
How it unfolded
- Jul 2024Axel Rudakubana, aged 17, killed three girls in Southport; he had been referred to Prevent three times but cases closed.
- Apr 2024 - Mar 2025Prevent referrals for children: 79% closed without progressing; 60% from education providers.
- recentlyChildren's commissioner publishes report calling for joint statutory guidance and stronger safeguarding response.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Government says Prevent plays crucial role, moving 6,000 people away from violent ideologies since 2015, and reviews report.
- Expert
- Children's commissioner says current process 'risks missing opportunities' and calls for 'stronger safeguarding response'.