Background
The Prevent programme is part of the UK’s CONTEST Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Prevent is one of CONTEST’s four pillars, the others being ‘Pursue’, ‘Protect’ and ‘Prepare’. The Prevent programme aims to intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation. The Home Office is the department responsible for managing the risk of terrorism and for implementing the Prevent programme.
The Prevent Duty, part of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, requires employees of specified authorities to play a role in preventing individuals from becoming terrorists. This can include raising a Prevent referral. Specified authorities include the police, local authorities, education, health and social services. The number of referrals to Prevent has increased in each of the last four years, with 8,778 referrals in the year ending March 2025.
Scope
Our report will assess if the Prevent programme is meeting its objective to intervene early and support people susceptible to radicalisation. Our scope will cover England and Wales. We will examine:
- the Home Office’s design and implementation of the Prevent programme
- local delivery of the Prevent programme
- the Home Office’s oversight, monitoring and evaluation of the Prevent programme
NAO team
Director: Tim Phillips
Senior Audit Manager: Annabelle Brown