Why is the Prevent counter-terrorism programme review so controversial? – podcast

Since its inception two decades ago, Prevent, part of the UK government’s counter-terrorism strategy, has attracted controversy. Its aim is to ensure that those at risk of radicalisation can be stopped and turned away from extremist ideologies, reducing terrorist attacks.

For many years there have been criticisms that Prevent has impinged on civil liberties, and has discriminated against Muslims. And, the Guardian’s crime correspondent, Vikram Dodd, tells Nosheen Iqbal, with increasing numbers of referrals to Prevent concerning the far right, there have been growing criticisms it has lost its way.

Now an independent review has been published, offering recommendations that the government says it will accept in full to overhaul the programme. But with the review itself mired in controversy after human rights and community groups boycotted it, will it make Britain safer?

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