Prevent referrals for children reach record 6,085 amid concern over online extremism
A record 6,085 children under 18 were referred to the government’s Prevent programme in 2025, amid growing concern about young people’s exposure to extremism and violent content online. The figures show referrals have nearly tripled since 2020, while new categories capture cases involving fascination with extreme violence even when no political cause is identified.
National Police Chiefs’ Council figures recorded 39 referrals linked to extreme violence, 19 to mass casualty attacks and 15 to school massacres. Online influence was cited in more than 1,700 cases, and gaming in 58; referrals also involved conflicts including Israel and Palestine, Iran and Ukraine. Conservative politicians called for stronger action on online radicalisation, while the article notes previous reviews criticised Prevent’s handling of cases involving Axel Rudakubana and Ali Harbi Ali.
In short
- Prevent referrals for children reached 6,085 in 2025.
- Online influence was recorded in more than 1,700 cases.
- New categories include fascination with mass casualty attacks.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Record 6,000 children are referred to Prevent as obsession with violence and extremism surges”.