Keeping our communities safe
Cambridgeshire is a safe county, and the risk of a terrorist incident is low. Most people across our communities know that terrorism is wrong and want to prevent it.
A small number of people, at a certain point in their lives and for a diverse range of reasons, may become susceptible to being radicalised. For these individuals, help and support is available to intervene early and divert them away from a potential pathway towards supporting terrorism or carrying out a terrorist act. This support is delivered via the Prevent Programme. It is part of the UK Government’s wider counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST.
If you are worried that someone you know is susceptible to radicalisation, you can support them by making an appropriate referral. The following information will help you to understand what to look out for, what to do and what then happens.
In an emergency, or to report a suspected terrorist incident, call the Police on 999 or the confidential national anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.
People at risk of radicalisation in Cambridgeshire
Radicalisation is recognised as a 'safeguarding' issue. It will be treated in the same way as other safeguarding processes designed to protect vulnerable people from harm or abuse.
Everyone has a role in ensuring that our communities are kept safe. It is also important to identify people at risk of radicalisation and offer them support.
Prevent is not about getting people into trouble. It’s about ensuring that they get the help they need.
Signs of radicalisation
Radicalisation is the process of a person legitimising support for, or use of, terrorist violence. There is no single profile of a radicalised person. Similarly, there is no single pathway or ‘conveyor belt’ to being radicalised. There are many factors that can lead someone to subscribe to a terrorist or terrorism-supporting ideology. These factors often include exposure to radicalising influences and a person’s own susceptibility. They also include real and perceived grievances. These are often created or exacerbated through grievance narratives promoted by extremists.
Radicalisation is a personal and individual process. It will look different from person to person. For some, it can be a short process, whereas for others, it can occur gradually over many months or years. Various signs or indicators may signal someone is at risk of being radicalised into terrorism. These signs could also indicate a different safeguarding concern.
Examples include:
- Being influenced or controlled by a group
- Being drawn into to strong principles and ideologies held by others
- Ignoring or demonising viewpoints that contradict their own
- Expressing themselves in an ‘us’ vs ‘them’ manner
- Feeling under threat
- A belief in conspiracy theories and distrust of mainstream media
- A sense of injustice or grievance and looking to blame others for this
- Justifying the use of violence or expressing a desire for revenge
- Changing their circle of friends
- Becoming socially withdrawn or spending a lot of time online
- Becoming increasingly secretive about who they are talking to
- Losing interest in activities they once enjoyed
- A need for identity, meaning and belonging
- A desire for status, or for excitement and adventure
- Being at a time of transition in life, or having experienced life challenges
Further information about how to spot the signs of radicalisation can be found at Act Early website. You can also get expert help by calling the national ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764. You can share your concerns in confidence with specially trained officers. This line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How to report your concerns
If you have concerns that a friend, relative, colleague, neighbour or someone else you know may be susceptible to radicalisation, you can tell us. Visit the Prevent page on the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website then follow the 'Make a referral' link. You can also email the Police Prevent Team for advice prevent@cambs.police.uk.
For wider concerns that a child, young person or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm, contact Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
Additionally, members of the public are encouraged to report any concerning online content that promotes extremism, radicalisation, or terrorism. Report any online material promoting terrorism or extremism (GOV.UK website). Reports can be made anonymously, and action will be taken to take the content down.
If you have information that someone is in danger or presents an immediate threat, report it to the police as an emergency by dialling 999.
Prevent and Channel
Prevent seeks to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It focuses on safeguarding and early intervention. It helps individuals step away from being radicalised by extremists.
Support is delivered through the local Channel Panel. It provides a bespoke package of interventions. These are based on an individual’s specific identified needs.
Other online resources
You can find further information about preventing radicalisation from a range of official sources including the following:
ACT Early | Prevent radicalisation
Get help for radicalisation concerns - GOV.UK
