PREVENT is part of the UK Government’s Counter-Terrorism strategy which is known as CONTEST.
The overall aim of this strategy is to reduce the risk from terrorism to the UK, it’s citizens and interests overseas, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.
The aim of PREVENT is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. This also supports rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved in terrorism.
What does PREVENT do?
PREVENT aims to -
- Tackle the ideological causes of terrorism.
- Intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation.
- Enable people already engaged in ideological beliefs to disengage and rehabilitate.
This also provides a framework to allow multi-agency working from a variety of sectors including NHS, colleges, universities, education services, the Scottish prison service, and community justice services.
The duty helps to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are supported as they would be under safeguarding processes.
What does this mean for Dundee?
While there is no specific threat to Dundee and the surrounding region, all local authorities in Scotland have a legal duty to deliver PREVENT in their area.
Our duty includes oversight for PREVENT delivery in schools, care settings, through health and social care partnerships and across justice social work. Dundee City Council will work with partners to encourage early intervention to protect the public, prevent crime and promote strong integrated communities. This work is based on national and local risks that are relevant to our communities.
The council also has a duty to manage a process to help people who are at risk of being drawn into terrorism or violent extremism. In Scotland these are known as Prevent Multi-Agency Panels.
Contacts
All local authorities in Scotland each have a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for PREVENT.
For Dundee City Council the SPOC is Gillian Lamb, Service Manager, Community Safety & Resilience. Any queries relating to PREVENT can be directed to prevent@dundeecity.gov.uk
If you have an urgent concern, please report this to Police Scotland by contacting them on 101 or in an emergency you can contact 999 or the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.