Terrorism

You can help the police tackle terrorism and save lives by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity.

ACT – Action Counters Terrorism

It is more important than ever that everyone in the community plays their part in tackling terrorism – your actions could save lives.

Don't worry about wasting police time. No call or click will be ignored. What you tell the police will be treated in the strictest confidence and thoroughly checked by experienced officers before action is taken.

Any piece of information could be important – it is better to be safe and report.

How to report

Reporting is quick and easy.

You can report in strict confidence or anonymously via the Counter Terrorism Policing website:

Counter Terrorism Policing: report possible terrorist activity

You can also report in strict confidence or anonymously by phoning the police anti-terrorist hotline.

The Prevent Duty Guidance 2023 advises that Local authorities should ensure the Prevent duty is part of policies and procedures that deal with identifying and supporting people at risk of radicalisation, such as adult and children’s social care. The Prevent duty is relevant to local authorities’ functions in relation to public protection, crime and disorder, and safeguarding. Local authorities and safeguarding boards should ensure that there are clear and robust policies and processes to identify children and adults at risk.  

If you are a social care or health professional and have Prevent-related concerns, these should be discussed with Thurrock’s safeguarding teams and / or the Eastern Region Counter-Terrorism Policing Team.  Telephone: 01245 452 196    /  Email: [email protected]
  

To make a safeguarding referral, including for Prevent related concerns, use forms online for: 

• young people under 18 years-old – common assessment framework 

• adults – reporting concerns 

People referred to Prevent may be considered at a Channel Panel meeting. 'Channel' is a national programme to identify and support vulnerable individuals who are at risk of being drawn into terrorism.  

Multi-agency involvement in Channel is essential to ensure the full range of information is accessible to the panel, so that susceptibility, vulnerabilities, risk and support needs can be fully assessed.  

Prevent referrals must be made using the Prevent National Referral Form  If there is a concern about potential radicalisation into terrorism or reason to believe that someone is susceptible to radicalisation, specified authorities should use the Prevent national referral form (NRF) (PDF, 496 KB, 11 pages) to make a referral to the police. An editable version of this form is available from your local police or local authority

Support for education settings completing a Prevent referral can be found at: DfE Making a referral to Prevent guidance. 

What to report

Like other criminals, terrorists need to make plans. You can report any activity or behaviour that appears out of place, unusual or just doesn't seem to fit in with everyday life.

Watch the film below to learn more.

How to complain

The Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) provides the government with impartial, expert advice and scrutiny on tackling extremism. The CCE has a Standards and Compliance Unit that makes sure anyone using the Prevent duty follows the right process and standards.

You should contact the Standards and Compliance Unit if you want to complain about how Prevent has been applied – go to GOV.UK: Make a complaint about Prevent.