Counter-terrorism and Prevent

Current threat level

Members of the public should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to the Police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.

The UK threat level from international terrorism can be viewed on the independent MI5.gov - Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre

What you can do to help

The Police and the security and intelligence agencies depend on information from the public. Be their eyes and ears and help keep yourself, your family and your local community safe by looking out for any activity that seems to be unusual and reporting it to the Police.

You can also report illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos you find online such as:

  • articles,
  • images,
  • speeches
  • videos that promote terrorism or encourage violence
  • content encouraging people to commit acts of terrorism
  • websites made by terrorist or extremist organisations
  • videos of terrorist attacks

Lancashire Prevent contacts

If you have concerns about someone and would like more advice:

Local Authority Prevent team

Call 01254 585 260 

Email Prevent.Team@Blackburn.gov.uk

Police Prevent Team

Call 01772 413398

If you think a threat is imminent call the police on 999

Alternatively contact the police confidentially on the Anti-terrorist hotline 0800 789 321.

You can also go to the ACT Early website, which has information about:

  • what Prevent is
  • how to spot the signs
  • how to stay safe online
  • available support and resources

Make a Prevent referral

To make a referral to the Counter-terrorism Policing team you can download the National Prevent referral form. You must send the completed form to concern@lancashire.police.uk 

Any information, advice or concern will be handled with sensitivity and where possible anonymity will be maintained.

Who can make a referral?

Anyone can make a referral, not just a professional. You do not need the consent of the person. They will be asked to consent to Channel if they are assessed as needing Channel support.

The ACT Early website has guidance specifically to help family members and friends. 

For more resources, useful information and policy advice, visit the Lancashire Prevent Partnership website

Prevent Duty

The Prevent duty is part of the UK's counter terrorism strategy. It aims to prevent people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

The Council has a legal duty to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.

We work with local partners to protect the public, prevent crime and to promote strong, integrated communities.

Preventing violent extremism is one of the '4 Ps' within the Government's strategy for countering violent extremism, known as GOV.UK - Contest:

  • Prevent - stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting violent extremism.
  • Pursue - stopping terrorist attacks.
  • Protect - strengthening protection against terrorist attacks.
  • Prepare - where an attack cannot be stopped, mitigating its impact.

The current Prevent strategy is made up of three key objectives:

  1. Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and of those extremist views conducive to it.
  2. Prevent vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support.
  3. Work with sectors and institutions where there are either risks of radicalisation or opportunities to prevent it - or both. This includes education, faith, health, charities, prisons and probation.

The strategy spells out what the Government is planning in each area and also looks at the particular issue of the Internet.

More Information on Prevent

Homeoffice.gov - Prevent E-Learning - an introduction to the Prevent duty, which explains how it aims to safeguard vulnerable people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.

Childnet - Trust Me - an excellent classroom resource which can support addressing online extremism and propaganda through digital literacy. The resource aims to provoke discussion among students to challenge young people to think critically about what they see online and is available with both primary and secondary lesson plans.

Run Hide Tell

In the rare event of a firearms or weapons attack:

  • Run - to a place of safety. This is a better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there's nowhere to go then...
  • Hide - remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can.
  • Tell - the police by calling 999 when it is safe to do so.