Primary school pupils are among a record number of Scots who have been referred to the Prevent anti-terror programme, shocking new figures reveal.
Police Scotland said the overall number of cases passed on to experts over radicalisation fears had leapt by more than 40 per cent in the past year.
Youngsters aged under 15 account for nearly two out of five (37 per cent) of the referrals which include those deemed to be susceptible to violent extremism – with six referrals from primary schools.
Bosses at Police Scotland said there was a surge in reports after the sentencing of Axel Rudakubana, 19, who murdered three young girls at a dance class in Southport in July last year.
Teachers warned Prevent about the teenager on three occasions, but his case was closed each time as he did not seem to have an identifiable terrorist motive.
Police Scotland said a record 162 reports were made to Prevent in the year ending March 31, compared with 114 the previous year – an increase of 42 per cent.
Most referrals to Prevent were for males (144 or 89 per cemt) while those aged 15 to 20 (based on their age at time of referral), accounted for the largest proportion (65 or 40 per cent), while those aged under 15 accounted for the second largest proportion (60 or 37 per cent) of referrals.
Shocking new figures reveal that primary school pupils are among a record number of Scots who have been referred to the Prevent anti-terror programme
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston is lead for Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism at Police Scotland
The highest proportion of reports were made for ‘extreme Right-wing’ concerns.
The second most common reason was for people who have no clear ideology but demonstrate other behaviours that would make them possible radicalisation targets.
The figures for the whole of the UK saw a total of 8,778 referrals made – up 27 per cent from 6,922 the previous year.
Police Scotland said the ‘volume of referrals’ had ‘significantly’ increased.
The report said: ‘This is likely driven by the sentencing of Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, the perpetrator of the Southport attack in July 2024, which led to the loss of three young lives.
‘Media reporting that followed this incident may have led to an increased awareness of Prevent and therefore its potential as an early intervention and safeguarding tool.
‘Following the sentencing of Rudakubana [in January 2025], the volume of referrals to Prevent greatly increased in February 2025 (22 referrals) and March (29). ‘
Under the Prevent scheme – a strand of the UK Government’s counter-terrorism strategy – schools and other public bodies are required to report people who show signs of being drawn into violent extremism.
An assessment is then made about whether further action is needed, and 50 people from this year’s data in Scotland required no further action after an assessment.
Of the 162 people referred in 2024/25, six individuals had also been reported in a previous year.
Police referred the most people to the scheme, followed by the education sector then local authorities.
In the education sector, the majority of reports (46) came from secondary schools.
Five referrals were made from colleges and further education, while four were made from universities in Scotland.
Prevent referrals are confidential and do not result in a criminal record or any sanctions.
The largest proportion came from the West of Scotland at 38 per cent, followed by 35 per cent from the east – which reflects a trend from the previous year.
Extreme Right-wing beliefs was the most common reason recorded in both areas.
About 27 per cent of reports came from the north of Scotland and the most common reason was Islamist extremism.
A small number of the overall cases related to other types of extremism, such as Incel extremism – men defined as ‘involuntary celibate’ with misogynistic beliefs – and Northern Ireland-related terrorism.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston, lead for Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism at Police Scotland, said: ‘Strong partnerships with communities, the education sector, local authorities and others must continue to address the underlying causes that can fuel radicalisation.
‘The success of the Prevent strategy rests on organisations and communities being able to make referrals about people they are concerned may be drawn into terrorism.
‘Everyone has a role to play.
‘Family and guardians can be the first to notice changes. You can visit the ACT early website for information on spotting the signs and how to report any concerns.’
But there was concern over the definition of ‘extreme Right-wing’ which includes ‘cultural nationalism’ and a belief that ‘Western culture’ is superior and under threat’.
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘The rising number of referrals to Scotland’s terrorism prevention programme are deeply concerning – particularly amongst children.
‘SNP ministers must ensure that our police and other services have the resources they need to stop these concerns turning into a tragedy.
‘The consequences of anyone falling through the cracks when it comes to this scheme don’t bear thinking about and our security services across the UK must work together to keep communities safe.’
Former Police Scotland superintendent Martin Gallagher said: ‘A lazy approach has been adopted to what constitutes “far Right” in this country, and this is evident in the definition provided.
‘In this definition “white supremacy” is shockingly lumped together with “Western culture”.
‘The population of the West is constituted by a multitude of races, with the UK itself having almost a fifth of its citizens from non-white backgrounds.’
Earlier this year, a government review found Prevent ‘prematurely’ closed its case on Rudakubana three years before he murdered three children.
Rudakubana had already discussed the Manchester Arena bombing and stabbing people when Prevent decided to end its involvement with him.
The killer was referred to Prevent three times between 2019 and 2021 due to his interest in terrorist attacks and school shootings, but there was no evidence of a fixed ideology or motivation.
Rudakubana was 17 when he stabbed 11 children and two adults, killing nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and six-year-old Bebe King in July last year.
Police Scotland said there was a surge in reports after the sentencing of Axel Rudakubana , 19, who murdered three young girls at a dance class in Southport in July last year
Those aged under 15 accounted for the second largest proportion (60 or 37 per cent) of referrals to Prevent
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: ‘While the Prevent strategy is reserved, the Scottish Government works to help implement with partner agencies and communities a balanced and proportionate approach to diverting individuals from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
‘Prevent is focussed on early intervention to address all forms of ideology and does not target any one community, group, or individual. The Scottish Government’s work is centred on increasing awareness and improving access to training for professionals to tackle ideological causes, including right wing extremism.
‘Our wider work to support resilient and safe communities in Scotland where everyone feels connected help prevents people from becoming alienated or isolated, reduces susceptibility to radicalisation, and increases resilience to the narratives used to divide us.’
Home Office Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: ‘We must direct people away from the dangerous path of radicalisation – whether it be Islamist ideology, Extreme Right-Wing or those seeking mass violence.
‘Prevent has diverted 6,000 people away from violent ideologies, stopping terrorists, keeping our streets and country safe.’