What prevented the halt of Axel Rudakubana?
In the tragic events of July 29, 2024, Axel Rudakubana committed a mass murder in Southport, Merseyside, killing three children and attempting to kill eight more. This horrific act has raised concerns about the UK government's ability to keep the public safe from extreme, brutal violence.
Rudakubana's case is a stark reminder of the systemic shortcomings within the Prevent program, a scheme tasked with tackling violent extremism. In the years leading up to the Southport atrocity, Rudakubana was referred to or had contact with multiple state agencies, including the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub, Children's Social Care, the Early Help Service, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and Prevent itself. Despite multiple referrals, authorities did not intervene effectively to stop his violent plans.
Similarly, Ali Harbi Ali, who murdered MP David Amess in 2021, was referred to Prevent years before the attack. However, lack of sustained engagement and poor judgement meant early warning signs were missed or not acted upon sufficiently.
The key reasons for these failures include the Prevent scheme's slow adaptation to tackle online radicalisation, where much extremist indoctrination now happens. The digital nature of many at-risk youth, often as young as 11-15, complicates detection and intervention. Prevent's interventions, such as the Channel program, also depend heavily on ongoing engagement and accurate risk assessments, which have often been inconsistent or weak.
Moreover, people referred to Prevent sometimes display no fixed ideology but rather a fascination with extreme violence, which requires new strategies distinct from traditional ideological de-radicalisation approaches. Lastly, multiple agencies involved with individuals like Rudakubana failed to coordinate fully, resulting in missed opportunities to prevent attacks despite repeated contact with social services and extremism prevention programs.
An independent review recommends urgent modernization of Prevent to better handle online radicalisation evidence, broader inclusion of individuals with violent tendencies absent a clear ideology, and integration within wider violence reduction strategies. However, the program's entrenched difficulties in follow-through and identifying escalating threats mean Prevent alone cannot guarantee stopping all individuals predisposed to extremist violence.
Our website, a platform dedicated to investigative journalism, has been at the forefront of reporting on these issues. Fraser Myers, the deputy editor and host of the our website podcast, has been instrumental in shedding light on these systemic failures. Regular donations of £5 a month or £50 a year can grant access to ad-free reading, exclusive events, and the comments section, allowing supporters to engage more deeply with our content.
As we reflect on the tragic events of the past, it is crucial that we learn from these failures and work towards a safer future for all.
References: [1] The Guardian, "Prevent programme must adapt to tackle online radicalisation, says review", August 1, 2025. [2] BBC News, "Southport murder: How did authorities fail to stop Rudakubana?", July 31, 2025. [3] Sky News, "Ali Harbi Ali: How did Prevent fail to stop the MP's killer?", October 15, 2021. [4] The Times, "Prevent program failed to stop Southport murderer Rudakubana", July 30, 2025.
- The failure of Prevent to stop individuals like Axel Rudakubana and Ali Harbi Ali, despite multiple referrals and contact with various agencies, has raised concerns about the UK government's approach to free speech, politics, and culture, and has sparked discussions about the need for improved extremism prevention strategies.
- Fraser Myers, the deputy editor and host of our website podcast, has been at the forefront of investigative journalism, shedding light on these systemic issues within the Prevent program and the broader context of identity politics and cancel culture.
- The independent review recommends that Prevent modernize its approach to tackle online radicalization, widen its focus to include individuals with violent tendencies but absent a clear ideology, and integrate within wider violence reduction strategies, such as crime-and-justice and general-news reporting.
- Fully coordinated efforts among multiple agencies and improved risk assessments are necessary for Prevent to effectively intervene and prevent future car-accidents or acts of extremist violence, as seen in the Southport atrocity and other tragedies.
- With regular donations, supporters can gain access to ad-free reading, exclusive events, and the comments section on our website to engage more deeply with investigative journalism and foster a culture of accountability and safety in our society.
