Is someone close becoming a stranger?

It can be hard to know what to do if you’re worried someone close is expressing extreme views or hatred, which could lead to them harming themselves or others. Working with other organisations, the police protect vulnerable people from being exploited by extremists through a Home Office programme called Prevent.

Act early and tell us your concerns in confidence. You won’t be wasting our time and you won’t ruin lives, but you might save them.

Spotting the signs

More important than any one sign is the feeling that something is not right. Friends and family are often the first to spot worrying changes taking place. These can be big or small changes that take place very quickly or over a longer period. Trust your instincts and if you’re concerned seek advice.

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Real stories

Other people have gone through similar experiences and have been supported by the Home Office Prevent programme. Working together with other organisations we’ve helped many of them choose a different pathway.

These are real examples of people we’ve helped.

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Here to help

We work with a range of partners to put a package of support together for the individual. There are vulnerabilities they might have that our partner agencies can help more with, it’s a partnership.

Riz, Prevent officer

Families I’ve met have realised that the best way to help their son or daughter is to share concerns with the police, however hard this feels to do. They need advice and often don’t know who to turn to.

James, Prevent officer

All extremists use the same tactics; it doesn’t matter what the ideology. They make you feel you can’t let the side down.

Abdul, Intervention Provider

My role is to tackle the things that make people prone to radicalisation, areas in their life they might need help with or might feel left behind in. I could be helping them to navigate relationships or drink related problems or more practical things like applying for housing.

Sansha, Senior Prevent Caseworker St Giles Trust

We look at the needs of the whole family network and take a holistic approach to make sure that any vulnerabilities and individual needs are met by the police and the other agencies who help deliver the Prevent programme.

Saba, Prevent officer

Can Prevent make a positive difference to someone’s life? The answer is yes! There is always a way through – you can help them find a solution that will work for them.

Mike, Prevent officer

Some individuals lead complex lives or have complex needs involving a range of different agencies that don’t always link up. The Prevent programme brings all the agencies around the table to provide that wrap around support that they need.

Nick, Intervention Provider

If you're worried about someone being radicalised one of the first things you might see is a harshness about them and that they won’t accept different opinions.

Abdul, Intervention Provider

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