The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “G”) which outlines the requirements of the statutory Prevent Duty and progress towards the Prevent Action Plan for the District.

Recommended –

(1)       The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee acknowledge the progress on work undertaken in implementing the Prevent agenda in Bradford and its approach to supporting vulnerable people.

(2)       The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee acknowledge this report and the intended direction for Prevent in the district.

(3)       That Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee makes any suggestions for raising awareness of Prevent across Bradford District

(4)       A report is presented in twelve months’ time giving a progress update.

(Ian Day - 01274 433507)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “G”)

which outlined the requirements of the statutory Prevent Duty and

progress towards the Prevent Action Plan for the district.

The Prevent Coordinator gave an overview of the Prevent Strategy, stating that its principle aim was about protecting vulnerable individuals from extremism in all its different forms.  He alluded to the components of the Prevent Strategy around the key elements of safeguarding and channelling individuals from extremism, adding that the Programme was transparent and open to scrutiny, including scrutiny from this Committee, and although resources were limited, reliance on partnership working was a crucial element of the Strategy and its effectiveness.

The Prevent lead for Bradford College was also present at the meeting and gave a brief overview of the work being undertaken at Bradford College around the Prevent agenda.  She alluded to how Prevent was incorporated within the Colleges UNITED values framework, which was about ensuring core values and respect for individuals were central to the life of every student at the College.  The College also actively challenged stereotypes and discussed with students issues surrounding hate crimes, personal experiences and violent extremism.

A project around safeguarding which had been developed to actively work with mothers was also showcased, and how it had empowered mothers to talk about radicalisation, which in turn enabled them to talk about the issue at home and challenge views.  Mothers who had been involved with the project were present at the meeting and they stated that the project had given them a platform to have conversations with their children around what was a very sensitive issue, and through this process empower their children to be happy and healthy.

The Prevent Coordinator stressed that West Yorkshire Police were also a crucial element in the Prevent agenda, particularly in their role as an arbitrator and building faith across a number of agencies and organisations.

During the discussion a Member ascertained how stereotypes were challenged and how much people were aware of the issue of radicalisation.  In response it was stated that radicalisation did not just affect Muslim communities, and that attitudes had to be challenged across the piece. 

In response to a question regarding resources, it was stated that more resources were always welcomed and to this end conversations were being had with the Home Office to dedicate more resources, given the Bradford demographics with a particular focus on having additional resources to deal with mental health issues, in the context of referrals that were made via the Prevent Programme.

In response to a question on what the advice was on those travelling to the border areas of Turkey, it was stressed that up to date travel advice was available via the Government Foreign Travel Advice website. 

The work being undertaken in Mosques and Madresssahs which were supplementary schools on Safeguarding procedures and understanding and challenging  extremism were also alluded to, and how it was being rolled out across the district, with early indications suggesting a good level of engagement and response from the Mosque and Madressah Committees and representatives.

A Member acknowledged the good work done via the Prevent agenda and despite the early setbacks the work was bearing fruit, however the report did not really give a flavour of outcomes and tangible progress within a Bradford context which would have been useful and given some direction of travel.  In response the Prevent Coordinator explained that given the relatively small number of referrals made it was always difficult to give an indication around outcomes and the direction of travel, however some further analysis could be provided at a future meeting once agreement is sought from the Home Office around what types of information can be shared.

In response to a question around the history of Prevent, it was stressed that Prevent had had  a chequered history and that it was important to differentiate between the different strands of Prevent  and the key element remained around safeguarding communities.

In response to a question to the Neighbourhoods and Community Safety Portfolio Holder around progress and outcomes, the Portfolio Holder stressed that Prevent was a multi faceted programme approach and difficult to analyse in a tangible manner.

The Assistant Director suggested that it would be a useful exercise to brief individual political groups around Prevent, so that they could gauge the usefulness of the Programme and understand its context.

The Prevent Coordinator added that community support of the programme was crucial to the future success of Prevent and tackling the negative connotations around the Programme was an important component.

The Assistant Director also stated that different community engagement work was going on to tackle radicalisation at different levels and that there was on onus on everyone to talk about Prevent, and the positive impact it had in safeguarding individuals from radicalisation, as well as tackling the negative headlines around Prevent.

Resolved –

(1)       That this Committee requests that a further progress report be presented in 6 months.

(2)       That this Committee seeks clarification on the reporting of          progress against Bradford’s Prevent Action Plans.

(3)       That this Committee requests that all future Prevent reports        contain a breakdown of grants that are made available for         Bradford’s Prevent Programme.

(4)       That this Committee requests that training in relation to the         Prevent Programme be presented to all the political groups.

ACTION: Strategic Director Place

                                                                                    (Ian Day – 01274 433507)