2,000 children reported to anti-terrorism programme

MORE than 2,000 children and teenagers were referred to the Government’s counter-terrorism scheme in 2015-16, including more than 500 girls.

The first Home Office figures on Prevent revealed almost one in three of those reported to the programme were under 15 and more than half were under the age of 20.

However, just one in 20 of those referred by worried teachers or friends received specialist support to help de-radicalise them, and 16 per cent of those dropped out, figures show.

In one case, a nine- year-old boy was referred to Prevent by his teacher after he stood up in class and announced he supported Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

Experts said children as young as five or six have been sent for help because of their elder siblings’ involvement in terror activity, including some who travelled abroad to Syria and Iraq. The scheme also works with those who support far-right or other groups.

Figures show referrals from family and friends are among the lowest of any group, prompting questions about whether the voluntary programme has an image problem.

Anyone who is concerned about a person they think may be at risk of radicalisation can refer them to Prevent.

When authorities conclude there is a risk relating to extremism, the individual can be given support through the Channel scheme.

However, Home Office figures show of the 7,631 referrals in 2015-16, 2,766 left the process with no further action, 3,793 were directed to alternative services and 1,072 were sent to the Channel programme. Of those, 381 got de-radicalisation help and 108 of those were under the age of 15.