Overwhelmed' Prevent at risk of missing threats as referrals rise, UK counter-terror chief says
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Overwhelmed' Prevent at risk of missing threats as referrals rise, UK counter-terror chief says
"Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor stated that the Prevent scheme is overwhelmed by referrals, with over 10,000 expected this year, marking a significant increase. He emphasized that while some referrals are trivial, the majority involve concerns about individuals interested in violence without any ideological basis."
"Taylor pointed out that the rise in referrals means Prevent risks missing individuals who genuinely need intervention. He explained that as the volume of referrals increases, the time required for assessments also grows, which could lead to overlooking those vulnerable to radicalization."
"More than half of the individuals referred to Prevent last year were assessed as having no fixed ideology. Taylor highlighted the challenge of the current system, stating that there is no triage process above Prevent, making it the only channel for all referrals."
The Prevent scheme in Britain is experiencing a significant rise in referrals, with over 10,000 expected this year, a 33% increase from two years ago. Many referrals are trivial, but a majority concern individuals interested in violence without ideological motivations. The surge in referrals began after the 2024 Southport knife attack. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor noted that the system's overload could lead to missing genuine threats, as more time is spent on non-vulnerable cases. More than half of last year's referrals had no fixed ideology, highlighting the need for a better triage system.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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