Keeping you and your community safe from radicalisation

Newcastle is a safe and diverse city. But radicalisation can take place. Here’s more information on how to spot signs of radicalisation and how to raise your concerns.


What is radicalisation?

Radicalisation is where someone is persuaded to support terrorism and extremist views (or ideologies)  that are associated with terrorist groups.


Preventing radicalisation in Newcastle

Prevent Newcastle works to keep children and adults safe. To prevent them from being drawn into terrorism or becoming radicalised. This is known as safeguarding people from radicalisation. Their work includes:

  • training, outreach and community work to identify and support people who are vulnerable to radicalisation
  • understanding the causes of radicalisation in communities and online
  • helping people who are already engaged in or supporters of terrorism, to change their behaviour

Prevent is part of the national safeguarding programme. You can read more about the government’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST).


Signs of radicalisation

If you start to notice that you or someone you know is:

  • developing extremist views
  • joining an extremist or proscribed group
  • changing their views or becoming more intense
  • talking about violent action as a solution to problems
  • withdrawn or moody
  • Blaming other groups for problems in the world.
  • wearing clothing or items of an extremist or proscribed group

It’s time to look for support and pass on your concerns.


Online radicalisation

If you start to notice that you or someone you know is:

  • spending time online in political or extremist chat rooms
  • joining closed encrypted chat rooms and forums online or on gaming platforms
  • being very secretive about their internet use
  • sharing extreme beliefs and opinions in online comments. For example homophobic, racist, political extremist, violent
  • viewing and sharing social media posts, audio or videos of terrorist violence, activities or promotion.

It’s time to discuss your concerns, look for support or pass on your concerns.


What to do if you are worried

If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s behaviour you can contact Prevent Newcastle for information or complete the online Prevent Referral Form.

Read more on gov.uk about how to get help if you’re worried someone is being radicalised.


What happens next

Your form is sent to the Safeguarding team at Newcastle City Council and the Police Prevent team. It is then assessed to decide what the risks are.

The person may be supported to withdraw from potential extreme action.

Read more about the process on the  Newcastle City Council website.


Play your part against terrorism

Terrorism is the use of violence or threat of violence, to bring about a political, religious, or ideological change.

If you think that an extreme or terrorist situation is going to take place, call 999 and ask for the Police.


Safeguarding people in Newcastle

Prevent is part of the safeguarding work in Newcastle. There are other programmes which work to safeguard people from gangs, drug abuse, physical and sexual abuse.

If you are worried that someone is being abused or is at risk you can read more on InformationNOW about:


Safeguarding children

If you’re worried about a child or young person in Newcastle report your concerns to the Safeguarding Team at Newcastle City Council.

If someone is in immediate danger call 999.


Other useful information

The Educate Against Hate website gives government advice and trusted resources for schools, colleges, parents, families, professionals and the public.

CitizenAID has developed an app that you may find useful to help plan ahead or if you are in a frightening situation. You can download it onto your mobile ‘phone from Google Play, Apple App or the Windows store. This app gives a series of immediate actions to take, such as how to keep safe or save a life. They also update their news items with useful videos on how to act in an emergency situation.

 NSPCC’s Protecting children from radicalisation section has links and guidance on supporting children you think may have been radicalised


Training for staff and volunteers

Safe Newcastle is the Community Safety Partnership for Newcastle upon Tyne. They run training for managers, paid staff and volunteers to help you recognise the signs of radicalisation and how to respond. They also run training about domestic abuse.

Last updated: March 27, 2024