PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Counter-terrorism: Databases (5 July 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 28 June 2021 to Question 20545 on Counter-terrorism: Databases, for what reason her Department does not control that counterterrorism database; and what assessment she has made of the potential effect of that database being owned by the Police on the Government's ability to regulate that information.

Asked by:
Sarah Owen (Labour)

Prevent is a multi-agency programme, which requires the collaboration of multiple specified authorities. Alongside other partners, the police play an essential role in most aspects of Prevent work.

Police have responsibility for part of the delivery of Prevent, including receipt of referrals, deconfliction to check the individual referred is not already under investigation, and assessment of vulnerability to radicalisation. It is entirely appropriate for police to hold such data, which is managed in accordance with Management of Police Information (MOPI) guidelines.

The Home Office maintains oversight of Prevent delivery and uses data to identify trends and monitor performance. This involves working closely with a range of front-line partners, including the police, alongside Local Authority Prevent Co-ordinators, Health and Education Prevent leads, and policy leads from other government departments where appropriate.

Answered by:
Kevin Foster (Conservative)
8 July 2021