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Key Prevent contacts 

Richard Harrison (Deputy University Secretary), Prevent Institutional Lead  (PDOG), Head of Prevent Duty Operations and Chair of the Prevent Duty Oversight Group

Prevent Duty

The Prevent Strategy, published by the Government in 2011, forms part of its overall Counter-terrorism Strategy known as CONTEST.  There are four identified work streams, each comprising a number of key objectives:

  • Pursue: to stop terrorist attacks.
  • Prevent: to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
  • Protect: to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack.
  • Prepare: to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack.

The Prevent Strategy has three specific strategic objectives:

  • Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it.
  • Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support.
  • Work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation that we need to address.

Home Office factsheet about Prevent

Following statutory guidance issued under Section 29 of the Counter-terrorism and Security Act 2015, a duty is placed upon the University in exercising our undertakings to have 'due regard to the need to prevent people (staff, students and visitors of the University) from being drawn into terrorism'.

In complying with the Prevent Duty, the University aims to demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the risk of radicalisation within the institution. This risk may vary greatly and can change rapidly, but no area within the institution is entirely risk free. The emphasis is on adoption of a proportionate approach to delivery of the Prevent Duty relevant to local risk exposures.

Summary of the University's approach to Prevent Duty (UOY only)

Prevent Duty Oversight Group

This Group brings together senior staff, student union representatives and external contacts to co-ordinate our implementation of the Prevent Duty.

University of York Prevent Duty Policy and Procedures (PDF , 244kb)

The University Policy and Procedures for our implementation of the Prevent Duty.