Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
Audit finds 156 Prevent referrals later involved in serious crimes
A National Audit Office review found that 156 people referred to the UK’s Prevent programme later attempted or committed serious crimes in the four years to July 2026.
Prevent is a UK government initiative that refers people thought to be at risk of radicalisation for assessment and support.
Of those 156 people, 67 were involved in terrorism-related offences, while 89 attempted or committed other serious crimes, including murder, serious assaults and weapons offences.
The review also found that Prevent received a record 10,293 referrals in the year to September 2025, up 39 per cent after the Southport attack.
Most referrals were dismissed because officials judged the person was not at risk of radicalisation, and fewer referrals were linked to a clear extremist ideology than in 2017.
The audit criticised the Home Office for underspending its Prevent budget and for not properly assessing the effectiveness of Channel, a linked service intended to help people move away from extremism.
The NAO said the Home Office needs to improve its financial management, oversight and evaluation of the programme.
A National Audit Office report found that 156 people referred to the Prevent anti-extremism programme went on to commit or attempt serious crimes.
Of those, 67 were involved in terrorism-related offences and 89 in other serious offences.
The report covered referrals over the four years to July 2026, with some other offences occurring up to seven years after referral.
Prevent received a record 10,293 referrals in the 12 months to September 2025, but 78 per cent were dismissed as not involving a risk of radicalisation.
The NAO also criticised the Home Office’s financial management and its assessment of the linked Channel service.
- Who
- The National Audit Office reported on people referred to the Government’s Prevent programme.
- What
- It found that 156 people went on to commit or attempt serious crimes, including 67 involved in terrorism-related offences.
- When
- The report was published on 13 November 2026 and covered four years to July 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The NAO examined Prevent’s operation and found concerns about financial management, oversight and evaluation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Axel Rudakubana was referred to Prevent three times because of his interest in terrorist attacks and school shootings.
Ali Harbi Ali fatally stabbed MP Sir David Amess at a constituency surgery event.
Rudakubana stabbed 11 children and two adults, killing three children.
Prevent received a record 10,293 referrals.
The National Audit Office report was published.
- People later involved in serious crimes
- 156
- Terrorism-related offences
- 67 people
- Other serious offences
- 89 people
- Prevent referrals to September 2025
- 10,293
- Referrals dismissed as not at risk of radicalisation
- 78 per cent
- Prevent budget underspend
- 28 per cent of £23.4 million
What people are saying
The Home Office needs to strengthen its financial management, oversight and evaluation of the programme.