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Prevent Referrals Hit Record 8,778 in 2024/25 Following Southport Murders

Officials link the surge to heightened vigilance following the Southport murders.

Overview

  • Home Office data shows a 27% year-on-year rise to 8,778 referrals, including a quarterly peak of 3,287 between January and March 2025.
  • Children were most affected, with 11–15-year-olds accounting for 3,192 referrals (36%) and 345 cases involving children aged 10 or under.
  • Cases with no identified ideology made up 56% of logged concerns, while extreme right‑wing referrals (21%) outnumbered Islamist-related cases (10%), with violent‑fixation reports increasing after Southport.
  • Newly published mental health and neurodiversity figures show 34% had at least one recorded condition, including 14% with autism, as counter-terror leaders warn of limited capacity for complex needs.
  • Education generated the largest share of referrals (3,129; 36%), police referrals rose to 2,631 (up 37%) and local‑authority referrals to 895 (up 54%), while Channel panels discussed 1,727 cases and adopted 1,472.