Prevent is part of the Government's overall counter-terrorism strategy; CONTEST which was updated in June 2018 with the aim to reduce the risk to the UK and its citizens and interests overseas from terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.

According to the Home Office the UK faces a number of different and enduring terrorist threats mainly the persistent threat from Al Qa’ida, the rise of Daesh as well as the increasing number of Britons being identified as potential far-Right extremists.

Prevent is one of the four ‘P’ work strands that form the strategic framework:

• Prevent: to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
• Pursue: to stop terrorist attacks.
• Protect: to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack.
• Prepare: to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack.

Sections 36 to 41 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 set out the duty on local authorities and partners of local panels to provide support for people vulnerable to being drawn into any form of terrorism. These authorities include Schools, Colleges, Universities, Local Authorities, Health, the Police and Prisons.

This Prevent Duty includes ensuring that those working with children, young people and adults are trained to understand the risk of terrorism in the local area; to be able to identify when an individual is at risk of radicalisation; and to know what to do once that risk is identified by making a referral through the Channel process.