The increase in time spent online due to Covid19, and a rise in hateful extremism, is creating an environment in which young and vulnerable people are at a greater risk of being targeted and groomed by people who wish to do harm.
It is family and friends – including close co-workers – who are often the first to spot the worrying changes in behaviour that might be signs that someone they know may be at risk from being radicalised by terrorists or extremist content online.
However, recent studies have found that the public are unsure of the signs to look out for and who to turn to when they have concerns. Most people know little about the Prevent programme or the support it provides to help vulnerable people.
That is why Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) has today launched a new website – actearly.uk – to encourage friends and family to act early, share concerns and seek help if they are worried that someone they care about is being radicalised.
The ACT Early website includes case studies, signs to spot, FAQs and details of where to get help, including a new, confidential advice line staffed by specialists at CTP.
This year has underlined the crucial role employers and businesses play as a trusted source signposting staff and customers to information and support.
Counter Terrorism Policing is asking for your help to encourage people across the UK who may be worried their loved ones are at risk of radicalisation to ‘act early’ and share their concerns in confidence with them.
How does Prevent work in practice?
Police forces across the country have specially trained Prevent officers who work with professionals in health, education, local authorities and charities, as well as faith and community groups to help vulnerable people move away from extremism.
Receiving support is voluntary. We’ll need the person’s permission to help them.
If you call our advice line, we won’t tell the person you’re worried about you called us, unless you say we can.
Steps you can take to support ACT Early:
1. Signpost and promote the new ACT Early website on your social media channels and internally with your staff
2. Adapt our ACT Early templates so they are appropriate for your internal and external communications
3. Display the ACT Early posters and banners in your organisation’s building, display screens and public areas
4. Print the ACT Early leaflets and business cards to share with the public when that is possible
If you have any questions, or you would like to discuss how to use ACT Early in your organisation, please get in touch with us at nctphq.comms@met.police.uk.
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