BRITAIN’s flagship anti-extremism programme must be urgently ripped up and reworked after failing to stop two known threats, a damning watchdog report warns.
Southport monster Axel Rudakubana and MP killer Ali Harbi Ali were both flagged to Prevent by worried teachers – but still slipped through the cracks.
PARudakubana had been dropped from Prevent years before he went on to murder three girls and try to kill ten more[/caption]
PAAli Harbi Ali’s case was closed after ‘problematic ‘ assessments – before he stabbed Sir David Amess to death seven years later[/caption]
In both cases, the scheme failed to “do what was needed to engage with them and protect the public,” according to Independent Prevent Commissioner Lord David Anderson KC.
In his scathing review, Lord Anderson called for the programme to tackle twisted obsessions with violence – even when no ideology is present.
He said: “More needs to be done. It has to be clear that people with a fascination with extreme violence can be suitable subjects for Prevent, even when they have no discernible ideology.”
Lord Anderson added: “In the longer term, I believe that Prevent could work better as part of a comprehensive violence prevention and safeguarding strategy.”
He urged ministers to set up a Cabinet Office task force to link Prevent with wider violence prevention systems.
But counter-extremism tsar Robin Simcox this week argued such a shift would mean Prevent “isn’t really a counter-terrorism programme any more.”
He told MPs it would be a “pretty fundamental shift in what Prevent is”, adding: “Prevent better brace itself for an awful lot of referrals.”
Lord Anderson also demanded the scheme “up its game in the online world, where most radicalisation takes place”.
He revealed referrals have surged in 2024 following publicity around Rudakubana’s case and Netflix incel drama Adolescence.
New figures show more than a third of Prevent cases now involve people with no clear ideology – just disturbing signs of violent risk.
Rudakubana had been dropped from Prevent years before he went on to murder three girls and try to kill ten more.
Ali Harbi Ali’s case was closed after “problematic” assessments – before he stabbed Sir David Amess to death seven years later.
Sir David’s family said they were “deeply upset” and “frankly offended” after being given “next to no notice” of the report’s release.
Their spokesman Radd Seiger slammed a “dismissive” letter from the Home Secretary, accusing ministers of trying to “protect the Government following its failings” rather than support grieving relatives.
The Prevent review also follows calls by the terror watchdog for a new offence targeting lone killers preparing mass attacks, even without ties to extremist groups.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the Government will “immediately act” on findings made by Lord Anderson.
She said Prevent thresholds will be clarified in guidance for frontline workers who have a duty to refer individuals to Prevent, so they understand those fascinated with extreme violence or mass casualty attacks should be referred to the counter-terror programme.
The work will be completed by the end of September.
The Home Secretary also said she will continue to look at how Prevent connects with wider violence prevention and safeguarding efforts, and officials will work with tech companies to boost efforts to tackle online radicalisation.
Ms Cooper said: “Whilst we must look immediately at how Prevent works alongside wider safeguarding mechanisms to stop further missed opportunities, we also look forward to the outcome of the first phase of the Southport Public Inquiry, led by Sir Adrian Fulford, which will publish its findings later this year.”
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