PARTICIPATION PROJECT: UK`s Primary CVE prevention strategy

Awareness-raising measures are implemented throughout the country, mostly in schools and other public institutions, to improve awareness of the Prevent policy and signs of extremism. WRAP, for example, is a free workshop that offers training on radicalisation, vulnerability, signs of extremism, and support mechanisms. Under the Prevent duty, moreover, teachers are required to implement British values, along with lessons on democracy, inclusion and participation. This is an example of efforts made in early prevention that focus on the social issues drawing people towards extremism. Overall, this contributes to the cultural awareness of other groups and religions in the country, social engagement with themes such as democracy, and educational development in terms of critical thinking skills; contributing to a policy on citizenship education. The 'Being British, Being Muslim' programme, for example, engaged with individuals that had been exposed to extremist discourse to develop critical thinking skills, pluralism and integration (Liht and Savage, 2013; pp. 48-51).

UK P/CVE policy is very much centred on preventing people from being drawn into extremism. This can be directly referring to extremism and radicalisation, such as through Prevent, or can be focused on the social issues that increase one's vulnerability. An example of this can be the Integrated Communities Strategy (2018), which does not use the terms 'extremism' nor 'terrorism' and instead focuses on increasing economic opportunity, strengthening leadership, and supporting migrants and residents to build more inclusive communities. This strategy is an example of attempts being made to address the socio-economic structures that can reduce individuals from being drawn into extremism. This emphasis on social inclusion is also represented in the Counter-Extremism Strategy 2015, which focuses on more integrated communities, and the London P/CVE strategy that focuses on rooting out "inequality and poverty which all too often lie at the heart of disenchantment and resentment, feelings extremists seek to exploit" (Greater London Authority, 2019; p. 6).

Building resilience is a key component of many P/CVE policies in the country. In London's
P/CVE policy, building resilience to extremism is seen as a core goal. Strengthening community
relations between individuals of different backgrounds is targeted as a key response to build
resilience to extremism, whereas cuts to youth services are seen as a negative social contributor to
extremism (Greater London Authority, 2019; p. 29). Under the current P/CVE narrative, every
member of the British public informally has a duty to remain vigilant and to report signs of
suspicious activity. This is part of the wider community reporting policy for P/CVE.

One of the key areas of success in the Channel strategy is that it connects these actors together to address extremism, rather than relying on law enforcement. This is said to have removed "the stigma associated with de-radicalization programs and increases community willingness to engage with early intervention locally" (Bilazarian, 2016; p. 2).

Primary approaches to P/CVE are principally addressed via the UK's Channel strategy. The early intervention initiative focuses on de-radicalisation at a local level that combines different societal actors together. One of the key areas of success in the Channel strategy is that it connects these actors together to address extremism, rather than relying on law enforcement. This is said to have removed "the stigma associated with de-radicalization programs and increases community willingness to engage with early intervention locally" (Bilazarian, 2016; p. 2). Channel, in this sense, can be described as both a primary and secondary approach to prevention. On a primary intervention level, it is characterised as an early intervention scheme that supports people at risk of being radicalised. In doing so, the scheme provides tailored support to the individual based on their needs and vulnerabilities, for example, by providing economic support and career opportunities if they come from a low-income background. This emphasis on personal development via language 37 skill development, as reiterated in the Integrated Communities Strategy 2018, counselling and career guidance prevents individuals from developing extremist ideology.