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 in 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 susceptible 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 governments counter terrorism strategy (CONTEST) 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:
- Becoming increasingly argumentative or rigid in their views
- A new arrogance or sense of superiority
- Using new or unusual language
- Feelings of persecution – personal or political grievances
- Blaming others – An obsessive or angry desire for change or ‘something should be done’ – us and them!
- Becoming more isolated – spending more time online
It’s time to look for support and pass on your concerns.
Online radicalisation
If you start to notice that someone you know is:
- spending time online in politically 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
It’s time to discuss your concerns, look for support or pass on your concerns.
You can report online material promoting terrorism or extremism at GOV.UK. This could be websites made by extremist organisations, articles, images or videos of terrorist attacks or hate speech.
What to do if you are worried
If you are concerned about 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 Counter terrorism Police team. It is then assessed by Police team to decide what the risks are.
The person may be referred into Channel to receive support. Channel is a support programme that helps people who might be at risk of getting involved in terrorism.
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.
How to report abuse of an adult
In an emergency or if someone’s life is at risk call 999.
If you are told about or witness an incident of adult abuse, are the victim of adult abuse or think abuse may be happening you can:
- complete an online form
- contact Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council
- contact someone you trust, such as a GP, nurse, police officer or care worker. They will pass on your concerns to the safeguarding agencies.
Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council are the main point of contact in Newcastle when someone has a concern about the abuse or neglect of an adult. 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.
Resources
The Educate Against Hate website gives government advice and trusted resources for schools, colleges, parents, families, professionals and the public.
ACT Early | is a website with resources to help you spot signs on Prevent radicalisation
NSPCC’s Protecting children from radicalisation section has links and guidance on supporting children you think may have been radicalised.
GOV.UK have online Prevent duty training available for professionals in education, health, local authorities, police, criminal justice agencies and VCSE sectors
Hope not Hate have resources for local communities, community organisations, local authorities and people working in refugee and asylum support roles. The resources provide guidance on safety, reducing and responding to far right radicalisation
Last updated: August 6, 2024
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