More than 100 babies and toddlers have been referred to the UK government’s flagship anti-extremism programme, known as Prevent, according to new data from the Home Office. This alarming trend highlights concerns about the radicalisation of very young children, with referrals primarily linked to fears surrounding Islamist ideologies.
The data reveals that between 2016 and 2024, there were 388 referrals for children below school age. Specifically, 45 infants under the age of one were referred, with 29 of those cases associated with concerns about Islamist radicalism. For children aged one and two, there were 91 referrals, 67 of which were linked to similar concerns. Additionally, the names of 75 three-year-olds were submitted to Prevent, including 54 cases associated with Islamist issues.
The referrals appear to stem from child protection measures, often initiated when concerns are raised regarding a parent or older sibling. Notably, in 2021, a four-year-old boy was referred to Prevent after mentioning his interest in the video game Fortnite at an after-school club. Initially, his comments raised alarm due to a misinterpretation, as he referenced game-related weaponry, rather than any real-life threats.
In another incident that raised eyebrows, nursery staff in Luton suggested referring a four-year-old boy to Prevent because he mispronounced the word “cucumber” as “cooker bomb.” The boy had drawn a picture of a man cutting the vegetable, which led staff to believe he was making a reference to explosives. Fortunately, this case was redirected to police and social services, who ultimately decided no further action was necessary.
The scrutiny of the Prevent programme has intensified, especially following high-profile cases. For instance, Axel Rudakubana, who was involved in a fatal attack in Southport, was previously referred to Prevent three times, but his case was eventually closed without adequate intervention. This failure has prompted criticism regarding the programme’s effectiveness in identifying genuine threats.
According to Alexander Gent, chairman of the National Association of Muslim Police, the figures concerning the referral of very young children raise serious questions. He stated, “I struggle to understand how this applies to someone so young, especially for children who are babies and can’t even speak or comprehend what an extremist ideology is.”
The latest data also indicates a broader trend concerning referrals to Prevent. Following the Southport attack in July 2024, referrals spiked significantly, with 6,350 cases logged between that time and March 2025. This represents a substantial increase of 34 percent compared to the same period in 2023. Despite this uptick, concerns persist regarding the programme’s focus, as it appears to be disproportionately targeting right-wing extremism over jihadist threats.
A report published in 2023 by Sir William Shawcross, former head of the Charity Commission, highlighted that while 80 percent of active investigations by the Counter Terrorism Police focused on Islamist extremism, only a small fraction of Prevent referrals reflected this reality. The report cautioned that the programme had become politicised, with officials fearing accusations of Islamophobia.
Recent statistics show that referrals related to Islamist extremism have diminished, now accounting for just 10 percent of the total. In the year ending March 2025, 8,778 individuals were flagged to the Prevent scheme, marking a 27 percent increase overall.
The Home Office has defended the Prevent programme, asserting that it is essential to intervene in cases where young children have been exposed to harmful narratives. A spokesperson stated, “All referrals to Prevent are carefully assessed based on the specific details of the case. If a child is found to not be at risk of radicalisation, the case is immediately closed to Prevent.”
The ongoing debate surrounding the Prevent programme continues, as officials and community leaders call for a more balanced approach to counter-terrorism measures that appropriately addresses the complexities of radicalisation while safeguarding vulnerable populations.
