City Hall abandons anti-terror 'Prevent' programme - Government grant withdrawn for Channel project

Published: 29 October 2010
by TOM FOOT

A CONTROVERSIAL scheme aiming to stamp out early warning signs of violent extremism in Westminster has been abandoned because of public sector cuts.

City Hall officials say the anti-terror “Prevent” programme is no longer viable after a grant was slashed by the coalition government.

The funding was used to train council staff, including teachers and housing officials on estates, through the Channel programme. They are then expected to report people they believe are at risk of becoming “radicalised by ideologies” or “recruited to the cause of violent extremism”.

Channel – 65 staff in Westminster schools were trained last year at a cost of £20,000 – has been criticised for “profiling” young Muslims.

Speaking from New York, Arun Kundnani, who wrote a book about Channel for the Institute of Race Relations, said: “The Channel programme seeks to enlist teachers, youth workers and other professionals into the surveillance and profiling of young Muslims on the basis their religious and political opinions, rather than because of involvement in any crime.

“Not only does this programme erode the norms of confidentiality and relationships of trust that these professionals have with young people but it also undermines the right to democratically express radical views.”

Channel also monitors a perceived threat of “far right, animal rights and environmental extremism”.

Prevent funding was also spent on “developing intelligence”, gang projects and setting up a shared prayer space for all Muslims in Westminster.

In response to a Freedom of Information request, Wendy Ryan, Westminster Council’s counter-terrorism strategy officer, said: “This funding year 2010/11 we were initially awarded £220,000. 

“Following the new government’s first tranche of spending cuts, this has been cut by £84,000.

“We will not be committing any of the remaining funds as we anticipate further in-year spending cuts. Furthermore, the funds are not ring-fenced and, as such, may be used to support other key areas of community or crime related initiatives being run by the council.”