Extremism and Radicalisation

Young people can be drawn into violence or they can be exposed to the messages of extremist groups by many means. It is important that you are able to recognise and support a young person who may be subjected to extremism and radicalisation.

This duty is known as the Prevent duty. It applies to a wide range of public-facing bodies. The specified authorities are those judged to have a role in protecting vulnerable children, young people and adults and/or the national security.

The Channel programme is about ensuring that vulnerable young people and adults of any faith, ethnicity or background receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by those that would want them to embrace terrorism, and before they become involved in criminal terrorist related activity.

These can include through the influence of family members or friends and/or direct contact with extremist groups and organisations or through online content in particular via social media that can normalise radical views or promote violent extremism. This can put a young person at risk of being drawn into criminal activity and has the potential to cause significant harm.

There is no obvious profile of a person likely to become involved in extremism. The process of radicalisation is different for every individual and can take place over an extended period or within a very short time frame.

Radicalisation is defined as the process by which people come to support terrorism or use terrorist violence.  When talking about the ‘risk of radicalisation’, it is therefore challenging to describe exactly what it looks like. Various signs or indicators may signal a person is at risk of being radicalised into terrorism. See also Section 2, Risks and Spotting the Signs.

Terrorism: the Terrorism Act 2006 defines ‘terrorism’ as an action or threat designed to influence the government or intimidate the public. Its purpose is to advance a political, religious or ideological cause.

In summary, terrorism is an action that:

• Endangers or causes serious violence to a person or people;
• Causes serious damage to property, or seriously interferes with or disrupts an electronic system;
• Is designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public.

Extremism is the vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. The government definition of extremism also includes the call for the death of members of the armed forces, whether in the UK or overseas. Settings should not only be alert to violent extremism but also non-violent extremism, including certain divisive or intolerant narratives which can reasonably be linked to terrorism.

With regard to issues that may make a child or young person vulnerable to radicalisation, these can include:

• Influence to support an ideology from other people or via the internet;
• Bullying;
• Being a victim or perpetrator of crime;
• Anti-social behaviour;
• Family tensions;
• Hate crime;
• Lack of self-esteem or identity;
• Personal or political grievances.

Indicators/ Signs may include:

• General changes of mood, patterns of behaviour, secrecy;
• Changes of friends and mode of dress;
• Use of inappropriate language;
• Spending an increased amount of time online;
• Possession of violent extremist literature;
• The expression of extremist views;
• Planning to take long term holidays and visits out of the UK;
• Advocating violent actions and means;
• Association with known extremists;
• Seeking to recruit others to an extremist ideology.

The above list is not exhaustive and there may be other indicators that the young person is at risk of violent extremism and radicalisation.

There is an obvious difference between espousing radical and extreme views and acting on them. Holding radical or extreme views is not illegal; what is illegal is the act of committing an offence or inciting others to do so in the name of that belief or view.

Note: a common feature of radicalisation is that the individual often does not recognise the exploitative nature of what is happening and does not see themselves as a victim.

If you are concerned about a young person in any way you must report these concerns to your Supervising Worker and the young person’s social worker or the Out of Hours support if it won’t wait. It will be their responsibility to take the concerns forward through the appropriate channels.

Also see: Get Help for Radicalisation Concerns – Guidance.

Online content in particular social media may pose a specific risk in normalising radical views and promoting content that is shocking and extreme; young people can be trusting and may not necessarily appreciate bias, which can lead to being drawn into such groups and to adopt their extremist views.

See: Internet, Photographs and Mobile Phones.

Consideration should also be given to the need for an emergency response - this will be extremely rare but examples are where there is information that a violent act is imminent or where weapons or other materials may be in the possession of a young person or member of their family. In this situation you should call 999.

Good multi-disciplinary support should be in place to support you and the young person from all agencies to avoid criminalising the young person and also to help you manage a difficult situation.