Prevent failing to deal with Hamas assist community, reviewer warns
- Sir William Shawcross stated ‘Hamas community’ are behind pro-Palestine marches
The Government’s failure to completely implement the suggestions of a significant report into Prevent has meant the general public faces an elevated terror menace from the UK’s community of Hamas sympathisers, its creator stated right this moment.
Sir William Shawcross stated the UK’s flagship anti-extremism scheme was nonetheless failing to establish potential terrorists – together with Hamas supporters emboldened by the October 7 atrocities in Israel.
He warned that the scheme continued to be biased in direction of tackling right-wing terrorists regardless of them posing much less of a lethal menace than Islamists, and that the Gaza battle would lead to an increase in radicalisation if no additional motion is taken.
In the report revealed final yr, Mr Shawcross discovered Prevent repeatedly ‘failed’ to establish attackers and stated officers had a ‘double commonplace when coping with the acute right-wing and Islamism’ – partly over fears of being referred to as Islamophobic.
This led then Home Secretary Suella Braverman to vow a ‘main reform’ of the scheme so it centered ‘solely on safety, not political correctness’, whereas the Home Office stated in a report earlier this week that it had already applied virtually all of his proposals.
Sir William Shawcross stated Prevent continues to have a bias in direction of right-wing extremism as an alternative of its extra harmful Islamist equal
This graph reveals the ages of individuals being referred to the Prevent programme
The variety of Prevent instances being referred to the Channel stage, which is reserved for essentially the most severe instances
But Mr Shawcross advised the BBC final night time: ‘The Government says they’ve made a few of these adjustments that I requested for, that I proposed – however not sufficient. And I believe because of this the general public is in danger.’
The former head of the Charity Commission stated October 7 had ‘modified every little thing’, with members of the ‘underlying Hamas assist community’ within the UK fuelling the ‘horrific’ enhance in anti-Semitism and inspiring anti-Semitic banners on pro-Palestinian marches.
The Government ‘ought to pay way more consideration to the Hamas assist community’, Mr Shawcross added.
‘There are sadly various Hamas sympathisers and a few operatives on this nation,’ he stated. ‘Prevent and the police ought to have been working a lot more durable in opposition to these Hamas individuals on this nation.
‘The public is extra in danger due to the occasions of October 7 and subsequently – and lots of, many individuals on this nation are way more frightened than they’ve ever been earlier than.’
Sir William present in his 2023 overview that Prevent was ‘out of kilter with the ‘UK terrorism menace image’ and ‘should return to its overarching goal: to cease people from changing into terrorists or supporting terrorism’.
He quoted MI5 information that 75 per cent of its caseload was centered on Islamist threats, whereas the newest figures for referrals to Prevent programme confirmed simply 11 per cent have been linked to Islamist terrorism in comparison with 19 per cent for excessive right-wingers.
Several terror assaults have been carried out by extremists who had been referred to Prevent.
Thousands of Pro Palestinian supporters carry out a sit in in Oxford Circus earlier than marching to Trafalgar Square in November final yr
Among the terrorists who had been referred to Prevent was Ali Harbi Ali, 26, who murdered veteran MP Sir David Amess in 2021
They embrace homegrown terrorist Ali Harbi Ali, who murdered veteran MP Sir David Amess in 2021; Reading terror attacker Khairi Saadallah who murdered three males in a park; and Sudesh Amman, liable for stabbings in Streatham, south London, each in 2020, and the 2017 Parsons Green Tube prepare attacker Iraqi asylum seeker Ahmed Hassan.
Meanwhile, Ali Harbi Ali, 26, who stabbed Tory MP David Amess to demise on October 15, 2021, was radicalised 2014 similtaneously he was going by means of Prevent.
Prevent locations public our bodies, reminiscent of colleges and the police, underneath a authorized obligation to establish individuals at risk of turning to extremism.
The Shawcross Report discovered that Prevent officers have been treating Islamist extremism in another way from its far-right equal.
He wrote: ‘Prevent takes an expansive method to the acute right-wing, capturing quite a lot of influences that, at occasions, has been so broad it has included mildly controversial or provocative types of mainstream, right-wing leaning commentary that haven’t any significant connection to terrorism or radicalisation.
‘However, with Islamism, Prevent tends to take a a lot narrower method centred round proscribed organisations, ignoring the contribution of non-violent Islamist narratives and networks to terrorism.’
Usman Khan, 28, pictured at Bank station on his approach to attend a prisoner rehabilitation occasion on London Bridge, the place he stabbed two younger graduates to demise. Khan had come into contact with Prevent officers who had ‘no particular coaching’ in dealing with terrorists, an inquest heard
Reading attacker Khairi Saadallah, 27, (left) was assessed by Prevent officers however discovered to have ‘no mounted ideology’, in accordance with studies. Sudesh Amman, who stabbed two individuals in Streatham, south London, final February. However, a panel determined his case didn’t require intervention
Usman Khan, 28, (left) who stabbed two younger graduates to demise after a prisoner rehabilitation occasion on London Bridge, had come into contact with Prevent officers who had ‘no particular coaching’ in dealing with terrorists, an inquest heard. Parsons Green bomber Ahmed Hassan was additionally referred to the anti-terror scheme 20 months earlier than he planted a tool on the Tube that injured 50 individuals throughout rush hour in 2017
The majority of individuals killed in terror assaults within the UK since 2016 have been victims of Islamist terror.
Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered by right-wing extremist Thomas Mair in 2016, whereas in 2017, right-wing terrorist Darren Osborne drove a van into Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, killing one individual.
By comparability, 37 individuals have been killed by Islamist terrorists during the last eight years.
On Tuesday, ministers marked a yr because the publication of the Shawcross Report by saying they’d introduced the Prevent scheme again to its ‘core mission’.
Home Secretary James Cleverly stated the counter-terrorism system must ‘frequently evolve and adapt’.
He added that – because of the work undertaken after the report – ‘we’ve got a first-class Prevent programme’.
Counter-extremism professional Ian Acheson was amongst these criticising the Government’s method.
He wrote on X: ‘Why is the Government not forcing the adjustments that William Shawcross has really helpful on the failing Prevent Counter Extremism technique?
‘Why has he been pressured to go public on foot dragging? We completely will need to have efficient interventions centered on stopping tomorrow’s terrorists.
‘Islamist extremism is the pre-eminent terrorist menace on this nation. The physique rely, plots and custody figures don’t lie.
Palestinians verify destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, Gaza Strip yesterday
‘The rampant antisemitism now working nearly unchecked will elide into violent extremism if it’s not stopped. This is what Prevent should concentrate on.’
A Home Office spokesman stated the federal government had made ‘important progress to ship a strengthened Prevent’.
They added: ‘William Shawcross’s Review was essential to making sure Prevent is match for objective, which is why we accepted his suggestions in full.
‘One yr on, we’ve got delivered 30 of the 34 suggestions he made, and we’re making fast progress on delivering the remaining 4.
‘The authorities agrees that excessive Islamist ideology presents the best menace to the UK, and has moved swiftly to replace Prevent obligation steering and coaching to make that clear.’
