Agenda item

To receive a report from Sujeevan Ponnampalam, Prevent Programme Manager.

RECEIVED a report on the Prevent work to tackle radicalisation from Sujeevan Ponnampalam, Prevent Programme Manager.

NOTED:

i)                 The report aims to give a brief update on how the Prevent Strategy is being implemented and provides details on how vulnerable people are safeguarded from radicalisation.

ii)               In Enfield the Prevent Team regularly engage and work with teachers, social care staff and many other organisations to offer support to those who are deemed to be at risk.

iii)              Prevent aims to work with all forms of terrorism whether it is foreign inspired, far right or any other ideology.

iv)             To bolster the Prevent Programme in Enfield, two extra staff were recruited in November 2017. This was achieved by obtaining grant funding from the Home Office through its Office for Security and Counter Terrorism which already provides funding for the existing post and project.

v)               Enfield continues to provide targeted workshops for front line officers including social workers and housing officers. This workshop is called WRAP (Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent) which is available online and in person.

vi)             Sujeevan went on to speak about some of the next steps that were being looked at as part of the Prevent Programme. He advised that one of the key elements of Enfield’s Prevent support is through the monthly Channel Programme, which has similarities to a multi-agency safeguarding panel.

vii)            The panel receives concerns about vulnerable individuals and the needs are assessed along with any risks that the police may highlight suggesting terrorism or radicalisation concerns.

viii)           The support is voluntary and where this is accepted the panel is able to bring to the table unique Home Office approved intervention providers who have experience in tackling the radicalisation of individuals and are able to offer one to one support and mentoring.

ix)             The Home Office have indicated that it is their intention to move the case management and administration of the Channel Panel from the Police to the Local Authority. This is being brought in at stages over the country and London is expected to be near the end of 2019, although consultation events are still ongoing and some key issues remain to be ironed out.

x)               Looking forward, the threat from terrorism remains severe. The patterns of radicalisation are changing and travel to conflict areas may be getting smaller in number but the country is starting to receive returnees from these conflict areas. Enfield’s work to engage communities and provide vital support still remains as important as ever.

The following questions and comments were raised:

Q.      How many people are in Enfield Council’s Prevent Team?

A.       The Prevent Team in Enfield consists of three staff. There is also a Prevent Team within the Police.

Q.      How many people do the Police have working in this area?

A.       There are two Counter Terrorist Officers in Enfield who deal with Prevent. The dedicated School Police Officers also work with Prevent.

Q.      How many referrals to the programme do we get in Enfield from schools and how does this correlate with other Boroughs?

A.       Last year there were 25 cases referred to the programme which equates to roughly two a month. It would not be fair to compare ourselves to other Boroughs as the thresholds and training levels may be different.

Q.      Do the referrals come from specific schools/areas?

A.       No it is varied, but I would point out that they have all come from Secondary schools and none from Primary schools.

Q.      What is the outcome if someone is identified as having radical views?

A.       Early intervention is key therefore our aim is to intervene as early as possible and to work with the individual to support and guide them away from thinking in this way using the different interventions available, e.g. finding a Counsellor to talk to them.

Q.      How do you manage Internet use especially in young people?

A.       We work closely with parents to support them in how to manage and monitor their children’s Internet and Social Media use.

Q.      What are the radical trends and themes in Enfield identified by the Channel Programme?

A.       The data in Enfield has identified 70% Faith and 30% Right Wing

The Chair thanked Sujeevan for his interesting and informative report.