PREVENT – research

I began my research by looking into what prevent was. PREVENT is part of the counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST. Its stated aim is to ‘reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism’. It’s 3 objectives are: 

• ‘respond to ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat faced from those who promote it’

• ‘prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support’

• ‘work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation’

This programme, however, has confused the delivery of Government policy to promote integration with Government policy to prevent terrorism.

After watching the JUST Yorkshire – ‘Rethinking Prevent: A case for an Alternative Approach’ the point that stuck out for me the most is how young British Muslims, that had been interviewed, felt like they couldn’t speak their mind in fear of being suspected as a terrorist. This meant they felt unsafe in their own environment. This is because of the constant observation of their actions. In this current age it is done by CCTV cameras and the police; this is what I wanted to visually focus on. 

Using library resources I create a concept board to visually present my ideas and inspiration. I had done with task before in the Diagnostic Stage so knew how to present this. Then to gain some primary research I took images of cameras on the streets and police officers as I believe they are the cause of this feeling of unease in British Muslim citizens. CCTV and police officers were not difficult to find in London due to safety measures in the country which is understandable.