Pendle News Room

The plan was agreed at the Executive Meeting last Thursday (24 August).

Councillor David Whipp, who chairs Pendle Community Safety Partnership, said: “Our plan is designed to help us prevent the radicalisation of individuals in our area and to tackle the ideology which incites terrorism.

“The atrocities in Manchester and London highlight the challenges we face in Britain and we all have an important role to play in preventing terrorism.”

Putting into practice the next stage of the Prevent Plan will include:

• setting up an Operation Griffin event for Pendle businesses, helping them to be prepared and vigilant
• developing the leadership role of councillors as part of wider engagement with the community on Prevent issues
• further training of Pendle Council staff.

Pendle has a duty under the Government’s Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to work with a range of organisations to stop people becoming radicalised and to tackle extremism and terrorism.

Geoff Whitehead, Pendle Council’s Community Protection Manager, said: “Since 2015 we've been collaborating with the police and other authorities and agencies in Lancashire as part of our preventing terrorism and extremism plan.

“Our work in Pendle has included training frontline staff to spot the signs of radicalisation.”

Councillor Whipp added: “We know how vital it is to communicate and work effectively with communities and this includes working with our schools and Nelson and Colne College. 

“We are not afraid to discuss and tackle difficult issues."

Pendle Council and other agencies have been sharing advice on what to do when someone you know is becoming radicalised.

People should speak to the local police or the Counter Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321.

Individuals who need support can be referred to a pre-criminal scheme called Channel which has been successful in diverting people away from becoming radicalised.

Anyone with immediate information about terrorist activity should ring 999.

The police also have advice on what to do in the event of a terrorist incident here or abroad which includes the Run Hide Tell video and advice - www.pendle.gov.uk/counterterrorism 

Geoff added: “Other initiatives in Pendle are helping to build common ground between people  and  create more opportunities to work together.

“The progress of the Community Cohesion Action Network and our work with Building Bridges have been well received both in Lancashire and at a national level.”