Prevent Programme Fails to Stop Southport Attacker, Sparking Public Inquiry

Prevent Programme Under Scrutiny Following Southport Attack

The UK's Prevent programme, a central part of the Home Office's counter-terrorism strategy, has come under intense scrutiny following the Southport attack in July 2023. The attacker, 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana, had been referred to the programme three times before the attack, raising questions about its effectiveness in identifying and preventing potential terrorists.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has ordered a public inquiry into the attack, stating that Prevent and other state institutions "failed" the families of the victims. Rudakubana's referrals to the programme were made between December 2019 and April 2021, when he was aged 13 and 14. He had also had contact with the police, courts, Youth Justice system, social services, and mental health services.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged that these agencies failed to identify the danger posed by Rudakubana. A 'Learning Review' into his referrals to Prevent has been ongoing since the summer, but details remain confidential to protect the integrity of the trial. Further details and reforms to the Prevent programme are expected to be announced this week.

The Prevent programme aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism through early intervention. It also supports the rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved in terrorism. The programme operates through a multi-agency approach, with duties extending to various bodies, including schools, colleges, universities, health services, local authorities, police, and prisons.

Local authorities oversee the delivery of the Prevent programme locally. Anyone can refer themselves or someone they know to Prevent if they are concerned about their susceptibility to radicalisation or involvement in terrorism. Referrals are handled by specialist officers in the local police force. If a referred person is found to represent a security threat, they are investigated further under current guidance.

Pursue: To stop terrorist attacks.

To stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

To strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack.

To mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack.

The Southport attack has highlighted the challenges of identifying and preventing potential terrorists. The public inquiry and ongoing reforms to the Prevent programme are crucial steps in ensuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future.