Due to the increase in threat of Terrorism across the UK and overseas, it is the duty of an organisation and individuals to offer support to tackle this significant social problem that poses a risk to everyone.

We judge that radicalization is driven by an ideology which sanctions the use of violence; by propagandists for that ideology here and overseas; and by personal vulnerabilities and specific local factors which, for a range of reasons, make that ideology seem both attractive and compelling.

The current threat level to the UK from terrorism is SEVERE. This means that an attack is highly likely and could occur without warning at any time.

The most significant terrorist threat we face comes from extremist groups and its affiliates and likeminded terrorist organisations inspired by violence.

This policy is used together with the Government Prevent Strategy, where we aim to:

• Reduce the risk and threat of terrorism to our society as reasonably as possible.
• Immediately report to the necessary authorities if there is any threat of radicalisation.
• Ensure any matter linked to terrorism threat is treated with upmost confidentiality and
  appropriate help sought from the police, UKVI and other agencies.
  

Channel was first piloted in 2007 and rolled out across England and Wales in April 2012. Channel is a programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. The programme uses a multi-agency approach to protect vulnerable people by:

a. Identifying individuals at risk;
b. Assessing the nature and extent of that risk; and
c. Developing the most appropriate support plan for the individuals concerned.

Channel may be appropriate for anyone who is vulnerable to being drawn into any form of terrorism. Channel is about ensuring that vulnerable children and adults of any faith, ethnicity or background receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by those that would want them to embrace terrorism and before they become involved in criminal terrorist related activity.

The Prevent strategy makes clear that Channel is about stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism and that this will mean intervening to stop people moving from extremist groups or from extremism into terrorist-related activity. Where people holding extremist views appear to be attracted to or moving towards terrorism, they clearly become relevant to Channel.