Latest news with #HomeAffairs
Sky News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Prevent scheme needs to 'rapidly' adapt to online world, review finds after failures in Southport case
The Prevent scheme needs to "rapidly" adapt to the online world "where so much radicalisation takes place", an independent review has found. The anti-extremism programme has been under increased scrutiny after two recent terror incidents involving Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana and Sir David Amess's killer Ali Harbi Ali damaged its reputation. Lord Anderson KC was appointed as the new independent commissioner for Prevent in January and the long-awaited report into the scheme was published on Wednesday, outlining 10 recommendations to improve the programme. His recommendations can be summarised into five major themes, including adapting to the online world and applying Prevent to people who have no fixed ideology but "a fascination with extreme violence or mass casualty attacks". 4:22 Lord Anderson recommended that "all feasible and right-compliant avenues should be explored as a matter of priority to enable evidence of online activity to be more effectively used". The online behaviours of self-radicalised extremists were "increasingly difficult to detect and interpret". This is because the average age of a person referred to Prevent is now 16, and 40% are aged 11-15, making them "digital natives", Lord Anderson told the Home Affairs select committee on Tuesday. "Wider decisions loom on how Prevent can be better tailored to the online world inhabited by so many of its subjects; how best to deal with those whose ideology amounts to little more than a fascination with extreme violence; and whether Prevent should ultimately be embedded in a more general violence reduction strategy," the report concluded. What is anti-terrorism programme Prevent? The aim of Prevent is to "stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism". The government-led, multi-agency scheme also helps to rehabilitate and disengage those who are already involved in terrorism, and safeguard communities from threats. Referrals to Prevent lead to a "gateway assessment", made by specialist police officers to determine whether there are "reasonable grounds" to suspect the person is "susceptible to becoming a terrorist or supporting terrorism". The individual will then receive tailored support to reduce their susceptibility to being radicalised into terrorism, if appropriate. The Prevent programme has three main aims: • To tackle the ideological causes of terrorism; • Intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation; • Enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate. Additionally, Lord Anderson said he believed Prevent "could work as part of a comprehensive violence prevention and safeguarding strategy" in the longer term. The report recommended that a Cabinet Office task force be set up to explore the possibility of formally connecting Prevent to a broader violence prevention and safeguarding system, as latest figures on Prevent referrals for 2023-24 included in the report show 36% of 6,921 cases were made up of concerns of vulnerability but no ideology or counter-terror risk. The review was launched following the killings by Rudakubana and Ali. Rudakubana, then 17, killed Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, in the attack at the Hart Space in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July last year. He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder in January and was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in jail, with the judge saying it's "highly likely" he will never be released. It was revealed that Rudakubana, now 18, was referred to the government anti-extremism scheme - known as Prevent - three times before the murders due to a fixation with violence. Each time his case was assessed, he was not deemed a terrorism risk, and he has never been subject to a counterterrorism police investigation or declared a subject of interest to MI5. Prevent report puts it simply - too many people slip through the net Social Affairs correspondent @BeckyJohnsonSky Prevent failed - and people died. This is the latest report to highlight the fatal errors made in assessing the risk posed by the Southport attacker and the man who murdered the MP Sir David Amess. Families of the victims are understandably demanding answers. Relatives of the three young girls murdered in Southport last summer are urging the government and the authorities to "do more than simply paying lip service". The report acknowledges that Prevent "lacks teeth". Put simply, too many people slip through the net. Many will be surprised that the Home Office needs to be told that Prevent needs to adapt to the online world. Radicalisation online is not new. We have known for years that worrying numbers of people are viewing graphic content online, disappearing down rabbit holes guided by social media algorithms. Human error plays a part: the murderer of Sir David Amess was "exited" from the programme after he convinced a case worker he did not pose a danger. But in the case of Axel Rudakubana who carried out the Southport murders, three referrals to Prevent led to no action being taken because, despite an obsession with mass killings, he was assessed to not subscribe to one particular ideology. The author of this report is clear that was the wrong decision. The nature of terrorism has changed, he says. It's harder to tell if someone has a terrorist ideology or something else. However, he warns the authorities should stop "fussing about" that - and instead put the safety of the public first. Chris Walker, representing the three bereaved families in the Southport Inquiry, said: "We note the findings of the report pointing to the failings of Prevent in the Southport case, in particular that referrals to other agencies who could have intervened with the defendant were not followed through with. Given the disturbing and violent behaviour exhibited, opportunities to intervene were then lost. "We now turn to the inquiry in establishing the key decisions that were made in this case, who made them and how, if they had not been made, would the results have been different. "We have been clear from the start of the Inquiry process that, as representatives of the bereaved families, real change needs to come in order to prevent other families going through what my clients face." Islamic State (ISIS) supporter Ali was referred to Prevent years before he stabbed Conservative MP Sir David Amess to death during a constituency surgery at a church hall in Leigh-on-Sea in October 2021. His case had been closed five years before, after just one meeting for coffee at a McDonald's to deal with his interpretation of "haram" (forbidden under Islamic law), as well as texts and calls with an "intervention provider". Despite Prevent policy and guidance at the time being "mostly followed", his case was "exited too quickly", security minister Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons in January. Lord Anderson said lessons "must continue to be learned" from the failure to stop both killers. "Prevent failed to provide what might have helped them. Whether different decisions might have spared their victims will never be known: both attacks came years later, and many imponderables intervened," he said. "But wrong decisions were taken; more should have been done; and from these failures, lessons must continue to be learned." Home Secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to "immediately act" on Lord Anderson's findings. She said in a written statement that officials would clarify Prevent thresholds in guidance for frontline workers, who have a duty to refer individuals to Prevent, so they understand that those fascinated with extreme violence or mass casualty attacks should be referred to the counter-terror programme. This work would be completed by the end of September, Ms Cooper added. Sir David's family were left "deeply upset" and "frankly offended" by the way Lord Anderson's report had been handled by the Home Office, said Radd Seiger, the adviser and spokesman for the family. He said the family were given "next to no notice" of the timing or advance sight of the report published on Wednesday, but received a "dismissive" letter from the home secretary, which he said was designed to "protect the government following its failings" and not support them.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar to visit Indonesia for first annual consultation with Prabowo
JAKARTA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will embark on a two-day working visit to Indonesia starting Monday to attend the 13th Annual Consultation with President Prabowo Subianto - the first such meeting between the two leaders. Anwar will be accompanied by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. "This Annual Consultation represents the highest-level bilateral mechanism between Malaysia and Indonesia, aimed at reinforcing strategic and comprehensive cooperation," Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin said during a media briefing here on Sunday. He said the Annual Consultation, convened alternately between the two countries since 2006, reflects the strong political commitment of both nations to enhance collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including trade and investment, defence and security, connectivity, food security and education. "The leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," he said, adding that a Joint Statement will be issued at the conclusion of the consultation. The previous consultation was held in 2017, making this a timely opportunity for both leaders to reaffirm their strategic partnership and explore new areas of cooperation in response to current regional and global challenges. Syed Mohamad Hasrin said the leaders will also witness the exchange of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the areas of land border, health cooperation and information and communications technology. During the visit, he said the Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta, at the invitation of the Asean Secretary-General, Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Anwar will also deliver a Policy Speech on Asean in the context of Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship in 2025, underscoring Malaysia's ongoing commitment to regional integration and community-building. In 2024, Indonesia ranked as Malaysia's sixth-largest global trading partner and the second largest within Asean. Bilateral trade increased by 4.5 per cent from RM111.21 billion (US$24.39 billion) in 2023 to RM116.29 billion (US$25.5 billion) in 2024. – Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Anwar to visit Indonesia for 13th Annual Consultation with Prabowo
JAKARTA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will embark on a two-day working visit to Indonesia starting Monday to attend the 13th Annual Consultation with President Prabowo Subianto - the first such meeting between the two leaders. Anwar would be accompanied by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg; Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor; Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. "This Annual Consultation represents the highest-level bilateral mechanism between Malaysia and Indonesia, aimed at reinforcing strategic and comprehensive cooperation," Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin said during a media briefing here on Sunday (July 27). He said the Annual Consultation, convened alternately between the two countries since 2006, reflects the strong political commitment of both nations to enhance collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including trade and investment, defence and security, connectivity, food security and education. "The leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," he said, adding that a Joint Statement would be issued at the conclusion of the consultation. The previous consultation was held in 2017, making this a timely opportunity for both leaders to reaffirm their strategic partnership and explore new areas of cooperation in response to current regional and global challenges. Syed Mohamad Hasrin said the leaders would also witness the exchange of four Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in the areas of land border, health cooperation and information and communications technology. During the visit, he said the Prime Minister was also scheduled to visit the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta, at the invitation of the Asean Secretary-General, Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Anwar would also deliver a Policy Speech on Asean in the context of Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship in 2025, underscoring Malaysia's ongoing commitment to regional integration and community-building. In 2024, Indonesia ranked as Malaysia's sixth-largest global trading partner and the second largest within Asean. Bilateral trade increased by 4.5%from RM111.21bil (US$24.39bil) in 2023 to RM116.29bil (US$25.5bil) in 2024. – Bernama
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
PM Anwar To Visit Indonesia For First Annual Consultation With Prabowo
By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar JAKARTA, July 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will embark on a two-day working visit to Indonesia starting Monday to attend the 13th Annual Consultation with President Prabowo Subianto - the first such meeting between the two leaders. Anwar will be accompanied by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg; Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor; Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. bootstrap slideshow "This Annual Consultation represents the highest-level bilateral mechanism between Malaysia and Indonesia, aimed at reinforcing strategic and comprehensive cooperation," Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin said during a media briefing here on Sunday. He said the Annual Consultation, convened alternately between the two countries since 2006, reflects the strong political commitment of both nations to enhance collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including trade and investment, defence and security, connectivity, food security and education. "The leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," he said, adding that a Joint Statement will be issued at the conclusion of the consultation. The previous consultation was held in 2017, making this a timely opportunity for both leaders to reaffirm their strategic partnership and explore new areas of cooperation in response to current regional and global challenges. Syed Mohamad Hasrin said the leaders will also witness the exchange of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the areas of land border, health cooperation and information and communications technology. During the visit, he said the Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, at the invitation of the ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Home Affairs launches global centres to speed up passport services for expats
South Africans living abroad no longer have to endure the long wait of up to 18 months for passport renewals. Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber has announced the opening of new international Home Affairs service centres that aim to drastically cut waiting times and improve access to essential services. The Department of Home Affairs has officially launched its first centres in Sydney and Melbourne, with a third to open in Perth by the end of September. Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand are also now operational. ALS READ: Home Affairs confirms availability of smart IDs for South African residents These additions complement the department's existing centre in London, United Kingdom. 'Over the coming months, the Department of Home Affairs will expand this global footprint by opening more centres in the United Arab Emirates and China, followed by France, Germany, and The Netherlands later this year, and North America early next year,' the department stated. The initiative, described as a game-changer for South Africans overseas, forms part of a broader strategy to offer 'Home Affairs @home' – a vision of fully accessible online services for citizens wherever they reside. Services at the new centres include: 1. Passport applications and renewals for adults and minors 2. Birth registration applications 3. A new online appointment system with walk-in options tracking and email support for real-time updates hours from Monday to Friday, 09:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:00 6. A five-week turnaround time, significantly down from the previous 12–18 months ALSO READ: Home Affairs gives quick steps of getting your ID The department is also upgrading its e-HomeAffairs live capture platform, which will soon allow the issuance of Smart IDs and eliminate the need for paper forms. Schreiber said the improvements are about more than just speed. 'These changes are about delivering dignity to South Africans – wherever they live in the world,' he said. 'Home Affairs is now delivering for South Africans, including those living abroad, like never before.' Bookings for appointments can be made via the following links: 1. Australia: Zealand:
