Channel

Channel is a key part of the Government’s work to prevent terrorism.

The aim of Channel is to safeguard individuals who might be vulnerable to being radicalised, so that they are not at risk of being drawn into terrorist-related activity.

There is no single way of identifying who is likely to be vulnerable in this way. Factors may include: peer pressure, influence from other people or the internet, bullying, crime and anti-social behaviour, family tensions, race/hate crime, lack of self esteem or identity and personal or political grievances.

The Channel process identifies those most at risk, and refers them via the police or local authority for assessment by a multi-agency panel (see next question) which decides how to support their vulnerability.

Channel is about communities working closely in partnership with the police and local authorities, to divert people away from potential risk at an early stage so that they are not drawn into or drawn back into, terrorist related criminal behaviour.

Partnership involvement ensures that those at risk have access to a wide range of support ranging from mainstream services, such as health and education, through to specialist mentoring or faith guidance and wider diversionary activities.