Agenda item

This report aims to provide an overview of Prevent programme delivery in the borough of Brent. The report will outline how Brent Council are meeting their statutory obligations to deliver the Prevent duty, alongside the aims of the broader Prevent Strategy.

The committee received a report and introductory presentation on the Prevent programme delivery in the borough of Brent. Kibibi Octave (Strategic Prevent Coordinator) highlighted that under the Counter – Terrorism and Security Act (CTSA) 2015, the council had a duty to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. The Council approached this duty as a safeguarding concern, recognising the risks of grooming, extortion and harm that vulnerable people could be subject to. The requirements of the Prevent Statutory Guidance, including the requirement to conduct a risk assessments and develop an action plan, were outlined to the committee. Members heard that these requirements were met via ‘mainstreaming’ (embedding) the work into existing internal and external partner processes and practise. The Prevent programme specifically addressed activity relating to four groups; Northern Ireland related terrorist groups;  Al – Qaida, its affiliates and like-minded terrorist groups; Extreme Right Wing terrorist groups; and, Animal Rights terrorist groups. The government had identified Al - Qaida and related groups as of the greatest threat to the UK and Brent’s main concerns currently came from this strand. It was recognised that Brent had a large Muslim community and there was a danger that this community could feel particularly marginalized as Prevent objectives were addressed.

In the subsequent discussion the Committee queried the use of terms such as ‘pre criminal’ and sought further details regarding engagement with Brent’s Muslim community. Members emphasised the importance of engaging the whole of a community, including seeking women’s voices and of supporting good governance of community groups and organisations, including supplementary schools. Further questions were raised regarding any potential alignment with work relating to gang recruitment and activity and the provision of training to community leaders.

Responding to members’ questions, Councillor Miller (Lead Member for Stronger Communities) advised that there were often identifiable stages in mobilisation of a person to support or commit terrorist activities. Whilst it was acknowledged that the term ‘pre criminal’ could be replaced with a less connotative label, it was emphasised that the identification of such a stage supported early intervention to prevent someone falling victim to the process. Members heard that Councillor Miller championed a shared approach to the Prevent duty, through which Brent’s communities could feel that work was being undertaken collaboratively.  Members of Brent’s Muslim community were engaged with the council’s Prevent work but due to the perception that Prevent was targeted specifically at the Muslim Community there could be a reluctance to associate with the Prevent banner. The council was sensitive to this perception and worked to move from a State to Community focus to the work. It was acknowledged that there were fewer women from Brent’s Muslim Community engaged with the work of Prevent but there were still some very proactive women involved, particularly within a school setting. There were some commonalities with work on gangs but unlike gang recruitment there was not a typical profile of someone who could be recruited into violent extremism.

The committee welcomed the approached described by Councillor Miller and emphasised the importance of reaching the whole of a community, rather than just those who were most readily accessible. Members also acknowledged the importance of good governance in community and religious organisations including supplementary schools.

At the invitation of the Chair, Mr Francis, a member of the public, sought further details regarding the number, source and characteristics of referrals made through the Prevent programme, the channel through which they were directed and the associated success rate. Mr Francis also raised queries regarding the community groups chosen to advise the Brent Delivery Group. Councillor Miller advised that a written response could be provided, though it would not be possible to provide information on any referrals as these were exempt from disclosure.

RESOLVED: The committee noted the duty placed on the council under the Counter – Terrorism and Security Act (CTSA) 2015 and endorsed the council’s open and critical approach to meeting this, led by Councillor Miller.