Helping prevent terrorism and extremism

Prevent is the government’s strategy to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, in all its forms, by acting early to challenge extremist and terrorist ideologies and behaviours. Prevent is about helping people to make better choices and stay safe.

Reading Borough Council runs a multi-agency Prevent partnership to help all agencies work together on Prevent, including assessing risk in the local area, training, awareness raising and providing intervention and support to individuals at risk of being influenced or ‘groomed’ into terrorism.

Prevent’s Channel programme is a voluntary and confidential support service that works with different agencies to offer early help and intervention to safeguard people who may be at risk from radicalisation.

Warning signs of radicalisation

There is no single profile of a person likely to become drawn into extremist and terrorist ideologies and behaviours but signs could include:

• becoming withdrawn and stopping participating in their usual activities
• expressing feelings of anger, grievance, injustice
• going missing from their home, school or care setting
• a new group of friends who have an extremist ideology
• using language that supports ‘us and them’ thinking
• possessing or searching for extremist literature online
• joining organisations that hold extremist views

If you are worried about someone

1. Make safe

If emergency services are required, call 999. Take responsible steps to ensure that there is no immediate danger.

2. Refer

For adults:

• Call the Social and Healthcare Team on 0118 937 3747 (01344 786 543 out-of-hours emergencies only)
• More information about protecting people at risk of abuse

For children:

• Call 0118 937 3641 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
• Out-of-hours emergencies only: 01344 786 543, 5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, and 5pm Friday to 9am Monday
• More information on reporting concerns about a child
• Children’s Single Point of Access

Make a referral to Prevent

For professionals

If you think someone may be at risk, you can fill in the national Prevent referral form. The local safeguarding team and the Prevent police will look at the information. They may offer support through a process called Channel or suggest other services that can help.

For members of the public

If you’re worried about someone, including friends, or family call the ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764, in confidence, to share your concerns with specially trained officers. This support line is available 24 hours every day. You can also visit the Act Early website.

In an emergency, dial 999. To report suspicious activity that may indicate a terrorist threat, call the Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321.

Internet safety

The internet and social media provides many opportunities for those with extreme views to target young or vulnerable individuals. To learn more about internet safety look on the online safety web page.

Martyn’s Law

Martyn’s Law, or the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is new legislation designed to improve public safety by ensuring that venues and events are prepared to respond to the threat of terrorism. More information on Martyn’s Law.

Information and support

• Educate Against Hate – Prevent Radicalisation and Extremism – government advice to help safeguard students from radicalisation
• Government advice if you’re worried about someone being radicalised
• Action Counters Terrorism website – for helpful information on signs to look out for, and a national police Prevent advice line where you can share your concerns, in confidence, with specially trained Prevent officers
• Prevent Leaflet – government issued guidance to stop radicalisation
• Parents guidance to Prevent and Countering Extremism in Young People – by educate.against.hate
• Key facts about Prevent
• Prevent Duty Guidance – government issued guidance on the Prevent Duty for England and Wales
• Channel Panel Guidance – government issued guidance on the Channel Process

Complaints procedure

Complaints about the Prevent or Channel in Reading should be directed to the Chief Executive, Reading Borough Council using the make a complaint form. An appropriate course of action will be then be decided and will follow the corporate complaints procedure.

The action undertaken will depend on the subject matter of the complaint; issues of administrative fault will be considered separately from complaints of disagreement or ideological/religious divergence.

Reading Borough Council will lead and co-ordinate the complaint response. It will also be responsible for answering complaints relating to procedure.

If the complaint refers exclusively to a single partner agency, or the personnel of a single agency, it will be reviewed under their organisation’s complaints procedure.

If the complaint concerns safeguarding issues, it will be dealt with by the local authority’s safeguarding complaints procedure.

If the complaint alleges harassment, it will be cross-referred to the harassment procedure.

In addition, a national complaints procedure exists that provides a route to raise concerns about Channel or Prevent. Anyone can make a complaint via a dedicated Standards and Compliance Unit (StaCU). Guidance on the complaints process and how to complete the StaCU Complaints form[1] is available on request.