White, far-right extremism cases made up the most serious referrals to the government’s Prevent counter extremism programme in the year ending March 31, 2025, new Home Office figures show.
During that period, there were 8,517 individuals referred to Prevent, with a total of 8,778 referrals made.
This represents a 27% increase compared with the previous year (6,922) and is the highest number of referrals recorded in a single year since the data series began in April 2015.
“Extreme Right-Wing” concerns accounted for 21% (1,798) of referrals, higher than those related to “Islamist Extremism” (10%; 870).
Compared with the previous year, the proportion of referrals for “Extreme Right-Wing” concerns increased (up from 19%), while the proportion for “Islamist Extremism” decreased (down from 13%).
The “no ideology” type of concern accounted for the largest proportion of referrals (4,917; 56%).
Other key findings include:
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- 65% (2,747) of referrals were recorded as White, 19% (798) Asian, 8% (320) Black and 8% (338) other.
- The education sector made the highest number of referrals (3,129), accounting for 36% of all referrals this year.
- Referrals by the police (2,631; 30%) increased by 37% compared with the previous year (1,921; 28%).
- Referrals from local authorities had the largest percentage increase (54% from 582 to 895).
- In contrast, referrals from the community and from friends and family were the only groups to show decreases, falling by 25% and 7% respectively.
- Individuals aged 11 to 15 accounted for the largest proportion (3,192; 36%) of the 8,759 referrals to Prevent.
- Most referrals where sex was specified (8,525), were for males (7,605; 89%)
- The region that had the highest number of referrals discussed at a Channel panel per million population was the North West (51; up from 26 last year).
Layla Aitlhadj from Prevent Watch said: “The increase in right-wing referrals does not surprise us as Prevent referrals have always been a reflection of public anxieties. At Prevent Watch we have seen an increase in individuals contacting us as a result of right-wing Prevent referrals where unpalatable views are being treated as matters of counterterrorism rather than as teachable moments.
“We have always been concerned that Prevent would extend and be justified in other communities without any evidence that Prevent actually stops terrorism.”
What is Prevent?
Prevent is one of the four parts of the UK government’s main counter-terrorism strategy, known as CONTEST.
Its goal is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism in the first place, by spotting early signs of radicalisation and stepping in with support before any crime happens.
Anyone can raise a concern — teachers, police, doctors, neighbours, or family members — if they notice someone being drawn into “harmful extreme ideas.” These concerns are sent in as referrals to local Prevent teams run by the police and councils.
Most referrals are looked at quickly and either closed with no further action or given light support. But when it’s deemed that there’s a clear risk of someone being pulled into terrorism, the case can move to the next stage: Channel.
A panel of experts — usually including police, social workers, mental health professionals, and education staff — meets to assess the person and build a tailored support plan. This might include mentoring, counselling, help with education or jobs, or family support.
Prevent was launched in 2003, right after the 9/11 attacks, and initially focused almost entirely on Muslim communities as the main “suspect group” at risk of Islamist extremism.
Even today, despite shifts in data showing far-right referrals rising, Muslims feel disproportionately scrutinised.
Critics argue it creates a “suspect community” where everyday Muslim practices — like praying more often or discussing foreign policy — are flagged as potential red flags.
This leads to feelings of indirect racism, especially in schools where Muslim kids might hide their faith to avoid being reported.
A huge worry is that Prevent isn’t really about prevention — it’s about gathering intelligence on Muslims under the guise of help. Early versions involved funding community groups to map out Muslim networks, which felt like spying.
In places like Birmingham, this led to things like installing cameras in Muslim areas, which bred resentment.
Community leaders say it turns mosques, schools, and families into informants, making people afraid to join groups or speak openly.
The programme’s rollout in schools and public services has created a “chilling effect.” Teachers and staff are required to report concerns, but without enough training, innocent behaviours get misread. For instance, a devout Muslim teen might stop discussing their faith in class out of fear of a referral.
Parents have shared stories of kids being terrified of social services taking them away just for showing “subtle changes” like more interest in global Muslim issues.
