New duty on schools, councils "to help prevent people being drawn into terrorism"

The Government will place a statutory duty on organisations such as schools, colleges, universities, prisons and local authorities to help prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, the Home Secretary has said.

In a speech on counter-terrorism given to the Royal United Services Institute, Theresa May said: “For example universities will have to put in place extremist speaker policies and prisons will have to show they are dealing with extremist prisoners in an appropriate way.”

She added that the named organisations subject to the duty would have to take into account guidance issued by the Home Secretary.

“Where organisations consistently fail, ministers will be able to issue directions to them - which will be enforceable by court order,” May said.

The Home Secretary confirmed that the measure would be in a new Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill to be introduced this week (26 November).

The Bill will also see Channel – the existing programme for people at risk of radicalisation – put on a statutory basis “to improve the consistency of its delivery and ensure the participation of all the appropriate organisations”.

May also said that Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures, which replaced control orders, would also be strengthened.