Introduction
The Prevent Duty Guidance states; Section 45. “In complying with the duty we expect local authorities to ensure that publicly-owned venues and resources do not provide a platform for extremists and are not used to disseminate extremist views.”
This guidance has been put together to assist Local Authorities & public sector partners in complying with the duty.
Guidance
It is advised that existing policies and procedures, where applicable, are reviewed to ensure they include the following and that consideration is given to Prevent in Event Management Plans.
Follow the steps below to mitigate the risk of undesirable bookings. This document is not a definitive list and should be used in conjunction with other checking mechanisms.
ASK: What’s planned and who’s planning it?
1. Who is the individual or organisation booking the event?
• ask for their name and any associated names they operate under.
• ask if the person making the booking is doing so for themselves/their organisation or are they doing this on behalf of someone else and/or in partnership with another organisation.
• ask for their address and a phone number.
• get details of the individual or organisation’s website and associated websites.
2. Do they implement a policy that promotes equality and diversity and challenges all forms of discrimination? Or will they agree to their event subscribing to your equality and diversity policy?
3. Ask for details of the event including: theme; title; agenda; content; speakers; expected audience numbers and demographics; details of how the event will be promoted (ask for copies of flyers/posters).
- is the event open to the public or ticket only?
CHECK Undertake due diligence to confirm what you’ve been told and find out more.
1. Run a check on the individual/organisation/speakers by:
• viewing their websites, articles or speeches.
• considering what other people are saying about them (articles/blogs etc.).
2. Ask for a reference from a venue provider previously used by the individual/organisation.
3. If the booking is for a charity, check the charity number of the organisation with the Charity Commission.
DECIDE Use the information collected to inform your decision.
- Do you let the event go ahead?
- Or take action to reduce the risks?
- In complying with the Prevent Duty, it is your responsibility to ensure venues do not provide a platform for extremists.
Top tips when taking bookings
• if the booking is being arranged by an event management or another company, make sure you know who their client is.
• be wary of individuals only giving mobile numbers.
• if enquiries are made about internet use and bandwidth, investigate whether any speakers are participating in the event remotely.
• be wary of individuals/organisations making large cash payments.
• ensure that in the event of reputational risk to your organisation you have the ability to withdraw from the contract.
Top tips when researching organisations/individuals online
• complete a thorough check on the individual/organisation by:
- viewing their website(s).
- looking at what other people are saying about them (articles/blogs etc.).
• complete a thorough check on any speakers by looking at what other people are saying about them (articles/blogs etc.).
• when you are looking at a website check if it’s being kept up-to-date.
• if you are unsure about an organisation check if it has a landline number and business address.
• where possible use primary evidence - an organisation’s manifesto or a person speaking on YouTube.
Venue Hire Agreement
Alongside checking the details above to determine the suitability of the booking, you should also include a standard clause in your venue hire agreement regarding the Prevent Duty. It is also advisable to ensure that in the event of reputational risk to your organisation you have the ability to withdraw from the contract.
A suggested standard clause for venue hire agreements is:
“Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on certain bodies, in the exercise of their functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This is known as the Prevent Duty. In complying with the Prevent Duty, there is an expectation that local authorities ensure that publicly-owned venues and resources do not provide a platform for extremists and are not used to disseminate extremist views.
Therefore, the hirer is not to use local authority resources to espouse violent and/or non-violent extremist views.
The Government have defined extremism as “vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and OFFICIAL mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces”.”
More Information:
Visit Prevent | North Yorkshire Partnerships
Prevent e-learning: Prevent duty training: Learn how to support people vulnerable to radicalisation | Prevent duty training (support-people-vulnerable-to-radicalisation.service.gov.uk)
List of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law.
In the event of suspected suspicious activity contact the anti-terrorist Hotline anonymously on - 0800 789 321
For further guidance or assistance on possible extremist related concerns, please contact Preventenquiries@northyorks.gov.uk
Illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos found on the internet can be reported - https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism
In the event of an emergency - Dial 999
