CONTEST (Counter Terrorism)

The UK response to counter-terrorism is built on an approach that unites the public and private sectors, communities, citizens and overseas partners around the single purpose to leave no safe space for terrorists to recruit or act.

The 2018 CONTEST (Counter Terrorism strategy), is the framework to counter all forms of terrorism. CONTEST's overarching aim remains to reduce the risk to the UK and its citizens and interests overseas from terrorism, so that our people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.

The updated and strengthened CONTEST strategy reflects the findings of a fundamental review of all aspects of counter-terrorism, to ensure we have the best response to the heightened threat in coming years. The review found CONTEST to be well-organised and comprehensive and that we should update our approach within the tried and tested strategic framework of four 'P' work strands:

1. PREVENT

The purpose of PREVENT is at its heart to safeguard and support vulnerable people to stop them from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Our Prevent work also extends to supporting the rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved in terrorism. PREVENT works in a similar way to programmes designed to safeguard people from gangs, drug abuse, and physical and sexual abuse. Success means an enhanced response to tackle the causes of radicalisation, in communities and online; continued effective support to those who are vulnerable to radicalisation; and disengagement from terrorist activities by those already engaged in or supporters of terrorism.

2. PREVENT Objectives

The objectives of PREVENT are to:

• Tackle the causes of radicalisation and respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism;
• Safeguard and support those most at risk of radicalisation through early intervention, identifying them and offering support;
• Enable those who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate.

3. PREVENT - The role of the Police

The Police play a critical role in delivering Prevent, developing local partnerships and bringing together a wide range of organisations in communities to support the local delivery of projects to protect individuals from radicalisation.

4. PREVENT - Safeguarding

The Prevent duty applies in Jersey and requires multiagency partners to make use of existing safeguarding arrangements to help assess the local picture, coordinate activity and to put in place arrangements to monitor the impact on the welfare of individuals.