The Challenges of Preventing Radicalisation in the UK

Arguably, one of the biggest threats faced by Western nations in the twenty first century is that of terrorism. In 2017, the UK witnessed 36 deaths from several attacks showing the acute problem and challenges the UK faces. Since 2014, just over 1000 UK citizens have travelled to Syria to join Isis, exemplifying the growing concern for the UK. The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (CTSA) was introduced to stem and prevent new recruits for terrorist organisations such as Isis. CTSA Part 5 Ch1 s.26 placed Prevent, a counter-terrorism strand from its broader strategy CONTEST on a statutory footing in an attempt to focus the attention of public authorities to reduce the threat of terrorism through “Channel” a de-radicalisation programme. To date, the Prevent strategy appears to have had little impact in stemming the tide of willing individuals who are prepared to carry out terror-related acts. The strategy has galvanised criticism from the public sector who are subject to it. It has polarised relationships between the police, government and the Muslim community, ultimately weakening the UK’s ability to deal with radicalised individuals. Fischbacher-Smith suggested that “wicked problems can’t be solved, but they can be tamed”. This article investigates how far the UK has progressed in stemming the tide of individuals being radicalised and drawn into terrorism since the introduction of the CTSA and whether there has been sufficient “buy in” of Prevent.