Radicalisation

Extremism was defined by the Home Office in 2011 as a vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Extremism is defined as the support or promotion of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance that aims to:

• deny or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others
• undermine or overturn the UK’s system of democracy and democratic rights
• intentionally create an environment that permits or enables others to achieve either of the above.

The new definition also set out types of behaviour which could constitute extremism, including:

• using or excusing violence towards a group of people to stop them from using their legally defined rights and freedoms
• seeking to overthrow or change the political system outside of lawful means
• using or excusing violence towards public officials, including British armed forces and police forces, to stop them carrying out their duties
• attempting to radicalise and recruit others, including young people, to an extremist ideology.

Challenging and tackling extremism needs to be a shared effort (HM Government, 2013). For this reason, the Government has given some types of organisations in England, Scotland and Wales a duty to identify vulnerable children and young people and prevent them from being drawn into terrorism. 

Find out more about the Prevent duty

Most extremist materials and activities do not meet a terrorism threshold. All organisations that work with children and young people have a responsibility to protect children from being harmed by radicalisation and exposure to extremist views.

On this page we’re sharing best practice about recognising, responding to and preventing radicalisation and extremism.

The process of radicalisation may involve: 

• being groomed online or in person 
• exploitation, including sexual exploitation
• psychological manipulation
• exposure to violent material and other inappropriate information
• the risk of physical harm or death through extremist acts.

It happens gradually so children and young people who are affected may not realise what it is that they are being drawn into. 

> Find out more about grooming

Vulnerability factors

Anyone can be radicalised but there are some factors which may make a young person more vulnerable. These include:

• being easily influenced or impressionable
• having low self-esteem or being isolated
• feeling that rejection, discrimination or injustice is taking place in society
• experiencing community tension amongst different groups
• being disrespectful or angry towards family and peers
• having a strong need for acceptance or belonging
• experiencing grief such as loss of a loved one.

These factors will not always lead to radicalisation.

If a child or young person is being radicalised their day-to-day behaviour may become increasingly centred around an extremist ideology, group or cause. For example, they may: 

• spend increasing amounts of time talking to people with extreme views (this includes online and offline communication)
• change their style of dress or personal appearance
• lose interest in friends and activities that are not associated with the extremist ideology, group or cause
• have material or symbols associated with an extreme cause
• try to recruit others to join the cause

If you think a child or the people around them are involved in radicalisation and there is an immediate risk of harm, call 999 straight away.

If it isn’t an emergency, follow your organisation’s procedures. This might include:

• contacting your nominated child protection lead
• calling the police anti-terrorism hotline on 0800 789 321
• calling our radicalisation helpline
• reporting suspicious activity online. 

The Department for Education has a dedicated telephone helpline for schools in England who have non-emergency concerns about extremism: 020 7340 7264.