Preventing Violent Extremism Review

A review of the Government’s strategy for preventing violent extremism was announced on 9 November by Home Secretary Theresa May. The review will assess how the current strand of the Government’s counter-terrorism programme can work more effectively. The conclusions will inform what is described as a 'refreshed strategy' to be published next year. Lord Carlile of Berriew QC will provide expert, independent oversight on the review.

As part of its review, the Government has launched a consultation. The background note to this is to be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/counter-terrorism/review-of-prevent-strategy . It envisages a clearer separation between work on preventing violent extremism, led by the Home Office, and on the promotion of integration, which will be led by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). As part of its work on integration CLG will also be coordinating work across Government to address challenges faced from non-violent extremism.

At the foot of the background note is a link to an online questionnaire. The closing date for returning completed questionnaires is 15 December .

The questionnaire covers such matters as:

• the aims and objectives of Prevent;
• the relevance and content of the idea of ‘resilience’;
• whether Prevent should be broadened to address threats from other types of violent extremism (and, if so, what forms) and what sorts of projects and programmes might address them;
• possible consequences of separating Prevent from work on promoting community cohesion/integration;
• support to people who are vulnerable to becoming violent extremists;
• criteria for selecting Prevent projects for funding;
• whether funding recipients should be required to subscribe to specific values and views (and if so what these should be);
• the identification of individuals most at-risk;
• how Government might best support institutions like prisons, schools, universities and mosques in their efforts to combat the influence of violent extremists and which other institutions should be covered by Prevent;
• how central Government, local authorities and community organisations might work together most effectively to challenge propagandists for terrorism;
• possible criteria for identifying ‘at-risk’ areas and whether a ‘risk based’ approach is correct;
• the desirable balance of involvement/direction of local authorities and central Government in delivering Prevent;
• how local communities might most effectively help resist apologists for violence;
• which organisations or groups of people should be working most closely with Government and others to tackle violent extremist ideology; and
• evaluation and monitoring processes.

 

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