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Radicalisation and Extremism

Everyone in the United Kingdom has the right to express their beliefs and interests openly. As a democratic society, the U.K protects the rights of all law-abiding people, including those who belong to minority political, religious and ethnic groups. However, it becomes a concern to everybody, including families, communities and law enforcement, if a person begins to advocate or use violence to achieve a political, religious or ideological goal.

What is Radicalisation?

Radicalisation or extremism is where someone holds views that are intolerant of people who are of a different ethnicity, culture, religion, gender or sexual identity. Extremists may try to force their views on others and, in some cases, may believe that these views can justify the use of violence in order to achieve certain aims.

Examples of violent extremist causes that have used violence to achieve their ends include white extremists from the far-right or Islamist fundamentalists and  animal rights activists,  all of which usually attract people to their cause through a persuasive, sometimes violent narrative. These kinds of narratives often provide people with answers democracy doesn’t give to the various grievances they may have either towards their school, family, missed opportunities in life or other. They then justify violence or criminal actions with the need to impose radical changes or avenge any suffering they themselves or others may have been subjected to.

Radicalisation process

There is no single distinct  pathway of radicalisation towards violent extremism as the process is unique to each individual.  However,  there are some common elements in the experiences of most people who have become radicalised in the U.K, regardless of their beliefs or motivations.  Radicalisation happens when a person’s thinking and behaviour become significantly different from how most  members of their society and community view social issues and participate politically.

Only small numbers of people become radicalised and they can be from a diverse range of ethnic, national, political and religious groups. As a person is radicalised they may begin to seek to significantly change the nature of society and government. However, if someone decides that using fear, terror or violence is justified to achieve ideological, political or social change – this is violent extremism. Exactly what influences individuals to go down a path of using or supporting violence to seek change can be difficult to determine, but there can be a number of factors.

The radicalisation process is unique to each person who undergoes it, and in most cases, will not cause serious harm. In exceptional circumstances, however, the decisions made by a radicalised person can result in a serious and lethal act of violent extremism. Those who are radicalised and display threatening behaviour, incite hatred or promote the use of violence for their cause require some form of intervention. This may come from family, religious or community leaders, or law enforcement. Communities play a vital role in assisting people to move away from violent extremism and intervening to stop acts of violence before they are committed.

Combating Radicalisation

What is radicalisation?

BBC News: Forman filmed himself wearing an SS officer’s hat while playing a football game on his computer

Imprisoned Nazi sympathiser Ian Forman

A Nazi sympathiser who plotted to blow up mosques and Islamic centres has been jailed for 10 years.

Ian Forman, 42, developed a homemade bomb and researched religious venues in Merseyside, Kingston Crown Court heard.

Forman, of Shavington Avenue, Oxton, Birkenhead, was detained after work colleagues found him researching chemicals and explosives on the web.

The explosive was discovered during a police raid, along with a replica Nazi uniform and bomb plans.

Officers said seized computers showed evidence of internet research into a number of mosques in Merseyside, including Penny Lane Mosque, Liverpool and Wirral Cultural Centre, Birkenhead.

‘Racist fantasies’

The court also heard Forman had video clips of himself experimenting with explosives and a homemade anti-Islam video.

He admitted having extreme right wing views in his youth but claimed he no longer thought like that, when he was questioned by police.

Forman, who denied engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006, had claimed his research was for his hobby, making homemade fireworks.

However in March, a jury found him guilty after an 11 day trial.

Speaking after Forman was sentenced, Det Sgt Matt Findell said: “Thankfully, we will never know how far Forman was prepared to go in acting out his racist fantasies.



Liverpool Echo Link: Birkenhead Nazi


The Prevent strategy will specifically:

who promote it;

appropriate advice and support; and

to be addressed.


Prevent Strategy





The aim of the process is:




Exeter explosion: Autistic bomb suspect ‘radicalised by gang’


 Nicky Reilly was a vulnerable young man – who suffered from Asperger’s Syndrome, had a history of self harm and had attempted suicide several times.

Detectives believe Mr Reilly planned to commit suicide and allegedly had help in constructing three “rudimentary but viable” bombs that had never been seen in Britain before. They were constructed from sodium hydroxide, aluminium foil strips and an essential oil, combined with kerosene.


Special Branch officers were monitoring a group of alleged radicals in Plymouth, where Mr Reilly lives with his mother. Early investigations suggest comparisons with an al-Qaeda “inspired” attack but not one necessarily directed by a senior figure.

A friend of Mr Reilly said he suffered from Asperger’s – a form of autism – and tried to commit suicide after problems with his girlfriend in his late teens . He was sectioned, and after being released from a mental hospital he was allegedly groomed by a group of radicals.

Locals said Mr Reilly changed his name to Mohammed Rasheed last year and claimed he was “brainwashed” by men, who he would meet at a local internet cafe, kebab shop and outside a fish and chip shop.  Friends claimed that he was “naive and easily lead”.

He said of Mr Reilly: “He always struck me as being not quite well in the head but he seemed a nice guy. He was always polite and greeted me nicely. He did seem to be extremely religious after his conversion.”

What can put people at risk?


Substance and alcohol misuse

Peer pressure

Influence from older people or via the Internet


Crime and anti-social behaviour

Domestic violence

Family tensions

Race/hate crime

Lack of self-esteem or identity

Grievances (personal or political)


How does it work?




To make a referral into channel please refer to your own areas protocols

E Learning – Basic Awareness Training

NCALT training package


Series of scenarios

Certificate upon completion

Professionals can access the free NCALT Channel/Prevent General Awareness E-Learning Module by clicking on the link above