UK Prevent referrals hit record 10,293, highest in 11 years, as post-Southport surge compounds

UK Prevent, the counter-radicalisation programme that channels individuals showing extremist sympathies toward support, received 10,293 referrals in the year to September 2025 — up 39% and the highest since records began 11 years ago. The surge compounded after the July 2024 Southport attack, whose perpetrator was referred three times and closed each time for lack of a clear ideology.