PREVENT-ing A Full Debate On ‘Radicalisation’?

Recently arrived from Norway, Terry Sorensen wondered whether he was in danger of being ‘radicalised’. He tried asking the Metropolitan Police about British-style counter-terrorism, but the only person prepared to explain the government’s youth-oriented PREVENT strategy was an academic who is strongly opposed to it.

PREVENT is the UK government’s counter-terrorism strategy designed to stop people, particularly young people, from being radicalised. But when I asked the Metropolitan Police to explain it to me – especially that bit about the effects of radicalisation on young people such as myself – they said they had not got time to talk to me because I am only a student journalist.

So I am young enough to qualify for special attention under the terms of PREVENT, but not old enough to take up a minute of police time.

Don’t ask me how they work that one out.

Instead I asked Rania Hafez, Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Greenwich and a vocal opponent of PREVENT, to point out what else is wrong with it.

BTW, if anyone from the Met happens to see this, I would still like to do the interview. Please contact me via editor@risingeast.co.uk