Survivor of 2017 Westminster terror attack concerned that Prevent does not operate in Northern Ireland
A survivor of the 2017 Westminster terror attack says there is a “concerning disparity” between Northern Ireland and GB in that the Prevent programme does not operate here, despite many young people still being indoctrinated into extremism here.
Prevent is a key part of the UK's counter-terrorism strategy. In practical terms, the scheme places public bodies - including schools and the police - under a legal duty to identify people who may turn to extremism, and intervene in their lives before it is too late.
In November 2025 it was report that a record number of referrals – almost 9000 – were made to it.
In 2023 Dr Colm Walsh of QUB reported that young people are still being “exploted and groomed" into violence by paramilitary groups across Northern Ireland.
"Some young people still believe that paramilitaries perform some sort of function and part of that function is that they protect them and protect their communities because they can't trust other agencies to protect them," he said.
Travis Dylan Frain OBE was seriously injured in the 2017 Westminster terror attack, in which five people were murdered. He now runs Resilience in Unity, which works with Prevent in schools and universities.
He says the fact that there is no equivalent to the Prevent programme in Northern Ireland is a concerning disparity between NI and GB.
"Well, arguably, I'm not surprised, because I understand the historical context, but I do think that it creates a concerning disparity between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom,” he said.
"I think it's important to remember that prevent is all about safeguarding people. It's about keeping people safe from being drawn into radicalization.
"This is not some sort of spy program or surveillance program important that we remember that at its core, this is about safeguarding people from extremism or radicalization in the same way that we try to safeguard people from, say, gangs or other forms of violent crime."
Travis spoke at the the European Day for Victims of Terrorism at Stormont in March.
Kenny Donaldson, director of victims group SEFF affirmed Mr Frain's concerns.
"We strongly associate with comments from Travis around the lack of a focused Programme in Northern Ireland designed to disrupt the radicalisation of our young people," he said.
"We are very aware of the grooming activities carried out by those involved with terror groups, where they prey upon those who are susceptible to manipulation and being brainwashed.
"This is not past tense in Northern Ireland. This remains a live issue within many communities with terror groups continuing to recruit - often youths."
He said that SEFF members in GB have been working closely with Mr Frain in schools and universities in England.
He added: "Going forward we will continue to press for focused resourcing in this area of work.”
Invited to comment, The Home Office said that Prevent forms one part of Contest, the Government’s overarching strategy for countering terrorism, but that it does not currently extend to Northern Ireland.
The PSNI works closely with other security partners across the UK, as well as An Garda Síochána, in relation to the threat from all forms of terrorism within Northern Ireland, it added.
The Home Office advised that the Government will continue keep the threats affecting and emanating from Northern Ireland under review, and will support the PSNI and security partners as they respond to terrorist groups which seek to undermine peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.