FROM SUSPECTS TO CITIZENS: PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN A BIG SOCIETY

Terrorism Violent Extremism

The Coalition Government has the opportunity to initiate a new era of counter terrorism policy. It has started well by signaling its commitment to ‘restore the rights of individuals in the face of encroaching state power’, including the introduction of a ‘Freedom Bill’, and a review of counter-terrorism legislation. This paper considers one aspect of that review, ‘home-grown’ terrorism, and the future of one specific type of response, prevention. It argues for an approach to prevention work that is consistent with the Coalition’s goal of creating a Big Society of active citizens and protecting civil liberties.