Prevent in Wakefield

CONTEST strategy

The threat to the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) from all forms of terrorism is SUBSTANTIAL. Find out more on the mi5 website: https://www.mi5.gov.uk/threats-and-advice/terrorism-threat-levels.

CONTEST is the UK’s strategy to reduce the risk from terrorism, based on 4 themes: prevent, pursue, protect and prepare.

Pursue: to stop terrorist attacks

The purpose of Pursue is to stop terrorist attacks in this country and against our interests overseas. This means to:

• Detect and investigate threats at the earliest possible stage
• Disrupt terrorist activity before it can endanger the public
• And, wherever possible, prosecute those responsible

Protect: to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack

The purpose of Protect is to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack in the UK or against our interests overseas and so reduce our vulnerability.

Prepare: to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack

The purpose of our Prepare work is to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack where that attack cannot be stopped. This includes work to bring a terrorist attack to an end and to increase our resilience so we can recover from its aftermath.

Prevent: to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism

The aim of Prevent is to safeguard and support vulnerable people. To stop them from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Prevent is a key part of CONTEST. The government does not believe it is possible to resolve the threats we face simply by arresting and prosecuting more people. Prevent will address all forms of terrorism. But continue to prioritise according to the threat level to our national security.

Within this framework the Prevent strategy will

Challenge the ideology that supports terrorism and those who promote it

This includes individuals or groups whose public speaking or published material condones, justifies or glorifies terrorist violence. As well as anyone who fosters hatred between communities in the UK

Prevent vulnerable individuals can become radicalised towards terrorism

Prevent should equip agencies and communities to recognise and support these individuals

There are several sectors which are more vulnerable to extremism

These include education, health, criminal justice, charities and faith. To this extent Prevent must be a multi-agency initiative with local authorities playing a key role in coordinating delivery.

Wakefield has prioritised education as the long-term answer to challenging extremism in the District, and continues to provide a training program to meet the demand.

Prevent is recognised as a 'safeguarding' issue and will be treated in the same way as other safeguarding processes deigned to protect vulnerable people from harm or abuse.

Recognising and responding to extremism is a shared responsibility, therefore a wide range of organisations are included in the delivery of Prevent.

Reporting your concerns

If you are concerned about an individual or have noticed something suspicious you can speak to the following people:

In an emergency, dial: 999.

You can also contact:

• West Yorkshire Police on the non-emergency number: 101
• Action Counters Terrorism confidential hotline: 0800 789 321

You can also request a referral form by emailing us at communitysafety@wakefield.gov.uk.

Once completed the form should be returned to: fimucentral@ctpne.police.uk and communitysafety@wakefield.gov.uk.

If you find illegal or harmful information online, report it anonymously on the Home Office website.

Stickers and Graffiti

We are seeing a large increase in stickers and graffiti associated with groups of interest. If you see anything you have concerns about, take photos and report through to the Prevent Team contact us with a description of the location.