Overhauling digital strategy essential for prioritizing safety measures in the preventative plan.
The UK's Prevent scheme, a programme designed to counter extremism and violence, is undergoing significant updates and proposed changes to better address extremism and acts of terrorism in the digital age. These changes come in response to recent high-profile terror attacks and reviews of the programme, such as the murder of Sir David Amess MP in 2021 by Ali Harbi Ali, who had been referred to Prevent earlier.
Key updates and proposals include a broadened scope for Prevent, which since 2011 has confronted not only violent but also non-violent extremism, including Islamist, far-right, and other forms of terrorism. The 2015 Counter-Terrorism and Security Act codified the "Prevent Duty," expanding obligations on public bodies and highlighting all forms of terrorism.
The updates also reflect a continued focus on challenging extremist ideology underpinning terrorism, including adapting to online spaces where radicalization increasingly occurs. This involves refining guidance and operational frameworks to tackle extremism’s spread in digital environments, though specific digital strategies were emphasized implicitly in Lord Anderson’s recommendations for better policy standards.
One of the key changes is the introduction of the Desistance and Disengagement Programme (DDP), a mandatory, structured intervention and support programme for individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses. This programme complements existing measures with a multi-agency approach involving police and probation services and includes rigorously vetted providers.
The 2025 National Security Strategy situates Prevent within wider UK efforts to build national resilience to threats, including those emerging from online and technological domains such as AI. The government is focusing on public awareness, partnerships with society and business, and improving resilience against disruption to daily life, which links to Prevent’s goal of countering extremist narratives that exploit social vulnerabilities.
However, the Prevent programme has faced criticism following the murder of three girls at a dance class and the assassination of MP Sir David Amess. In response, David Anderson, the Interim Independent Prevent Commissioner, was asked to review the handling of these cases and identify necessary changes. Mr. Anderson recommends more transparency about the structures, systems, and statistics of Prevent, as well as an assessment of the Prevent Standards and Complaints Unit, with potential consideration for statutory powers.
Moreover, the government will expand the remit of Prevent to include the identification of individuals fascinated with extreme violence or mass casualty attacks. They will also collaborate with technology companies to identify and support susceptible people online. To ensure effectiveness, Prevent needs to enhance information-sharing and be more transparent with the public. Improved training will be provided for those involved with Prevent, including frontline workers and NGOs.
In summary, the UK’s Prevent scheme is evolving with greater emphasis on enhanced oversight and operational standards, broader ideological challenge including online extremism, integration with mandatory, rehabilitative programs like the DDP, and national resilience building against emerging security threats, including digital risks. These changes reflect lessons learned from past cases and aim to adapt the scheme effectively to the complexities of extremism and violence in the digital era.
References: [1] Home Office (2021). National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2021. London: Home Office. [2] Home Office (2022). Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2022. London: Home Office. [3] Home Office (2023). Prevent Strategy 2023. London: Home Office. [4] Anderson, D. (2023). Interim Report of the Independent Reviewer of Prevent. London: Home Office.
- The updates to the UK's Prevent scheme are not limited to countering extremism and acts of terrorism in traditional settings, as they are also addressing the challenge of online extremism and radicalization, which is a significant news topic in the world of general-news and crime-and-justice.
- In response to the digital age and its impact on terrorism, the 2025 National Security Strategy is emphasizing the importance of building national resilience against threats from online and technological domains, particularly AI, which falls under the broad category of technology.
- Under the proposed changes, the Prevent programme will expand its focus to include the identification of individuals fascinated with extreme violence or mass casualty attacks, which might be facilitated through collaborations with technology companies, further highlighting the role of technology in both the perpetration and prevention of terrorism.
