PREVENT STRATEGY
False flagging
THE Independent Commission on UK Counter-Terrorism recently found the government’s Prevent deradicalisation programme is unfit for purpose and undermines public trust. And no wonder when its main targets appear to be children and people with autism.
Even babies and infants are not exempt from suspicion, with 86 under-twos referred for screening between 2016 and 2024.
In the year to March 2025, a record 8,517 individuals were flagged up as potential extremist threats, according to new data – up more than a quarter on the previous 12 months. A third of referrals came from schools, making children the most scrutinised group. A similar proportion reported at least one mental health or neurodivergent condition, though the true figure could be far higher.