preventing terrorism toolbox talk draft v.5

Prevent Terrorism Awareness TalkAngela Scott, Chief Welcome to the ACC Prevent Awareness Toolbox Talk Executive If you work for Aberdeen City Council on a permanent or temporary basis, you are required to do Prevent awareness training. This is a summary of the duty to prevent people becoming involved in or supporting terrorism. By the end you will be clear on: • What Prevent is and why it is a duty for all ACC staff • How to carry out that duty in your day-to-day work • The three steps in the Prevent process • Who to talk to if you have concerns

What is Prevent? Prevent is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism. It is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. The main aim of Prevent is to stop susceptible people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. To do this, there is now a legal duty on everyone who works for ACC to protection vulnerable children or adults and divert them away from being drawn into terrorist activity before any harm is done. Prevent is a local, hands-on way to tackle the challenges communities face from terrorism, extremism behaviour and the threats posed by those who promote extreme views at an early stage. It applies to all forms of extremism, including the middle eastern; environmental; animal welfare; as well as home grown activism (e.g. Real Irish Republican Army). By knowing the issues and understanding the potential threats we face as a community, we can provide greater support to those who need it and widen our awareness.

What is your Prevent duty? Aberdeen City Council has a simple three step process to help staff understand and carry out their Prevent duty: NOTICE CHECK SHARE All staff (both permanent and temporary), have a duty to: • notice individuals at risk • check on concerns • share with other agencies

What could be NOTICED? People can be radicalised in a number of ways, and sometimes at the early stages it can appear to be a good thing; new friends, new clothes or gifts etc. But as the process continues, the person may be asked to do or say things they don’t really agree with, but feel pressured or encouraged to go along with. Everyone’s experienced peer pressure but some circumstances, life experiences or even state of mind can mean an individual is more ‘vulnerable’ or ‘susceptible’ to influence. Influence is a natural thing, however when a person is vulnerable and drawn towards extreme or criminal behaviour when they might not normally be, this is where we as ACC could help. Can you think of circumstances or reasons why some people might be more open to being persuaded to take part in or support radical views? NOTICE CHECK SHARE

Do you know people like this?IS EASILY INFLUENCED BY IS AT A TRANSITIONAL IS SEEKING PERSONAL HAS A DESIRE FORTHE OPINIONS OF OTHER TIME OF LIFE (E.G. IDENTITY, MEANING AND POLITICAL OR MORALINDIVIDUALS OR SOCIAL ADOLESCENCE OR MIDDLE SOCIAL BELONGING CHANGE GROUPS AGE) HAS FEELINGS OF HAS A NEED TO IS HOT HEADED AND HAS A DESIRE FOR GRIEVANCE AND DOMINATE AND DOESN’T THINK EXCITEMENT AND CONTROL OTHERS THROUGH INJUSTICE ADVENTURE CONSEQUENCES OF QUICK DECISIONSMaking Sense of what you have noticedThis list of reasons is huge and all or none may give cause for concern. There are often noobvious signs of extremism and you are not expected to be aware of the significance of tattoosor symbols etc.What you will have is a gut instinct. A concern that something is different or unusual about theway that person is behaving, the things they’re saying or even a change in mood. Yourjudgement is key to deciding when these are worrying and when they are not. NOTICE CHECK SHARE

What needs to be CHECKED? Seeing the signs early allows an opportunity to take steps to protect a susceptible individual. But noticing alone will not change anything. Your duty is to act, so we can give someone the right support to divert them away from being drawn into terrorism and protect them from harm before any crime is committed. How to check ? If you feel something is wrong, it is important that you talk about your concerns. There are different ways of doing this: • If you know the person, you might simply ask them about what you’ve noticed. (Remember – this is not about accusing someone of doing anything wrong. This is about raising your concerns and offering help). • It might often be useful to speak to your colleagues or line manager to see if they would think the behaviour you are noticing is worrying too. NOTICE CHECK SHARE

Who to SHARE concerns with? If you have checked out your concerns, but continue to worry that something might be going on, then it is appropriate to share your concerns with ACC’s single point of contact (SPOC): Edward Thomas Acting Communities & Housing - Citywide Manager ethomas@aberdeencity.gov.uk Tel: 01224 523127 He will be able to offer guidance and support on what (if anything) might happen next. NOTICE CHECK SHARE

Summary You’ve now reached the end of the Prevent Awareness Toolbox Talk and now know how important it is that everyone has an active role in preventing terrorism. Key Points to Remember: • Prevent is about protecting people • You have a duty to support and protect vulnerable people • The three steps of the Prevent process are: o NOTICE individuals at risk o CHECK on concerns o SHARE with other agencies • Contact Edward Thomas for additional guidance.As the Prevent Awareness Training is a legal requirement, you now need to sign a confirmation sheet todemonstrate that you have completed this training and now understand your Prevent duty.A confirmation sheet is available on the Zone. If you do not have access, please speak to your linemanager. Please Note: If do not submit a signed confirmation sheet back to Organisational Development, you will be required to repeat this training.