Just one in 50 suspected extremists are still being monitored by Prevent deradicalisation scheme
A DOSSIER of 6,287 people feared to hold extremist views were passed to an anti-terror programme last year - but just two per cent are still being monitored.
A total of 697 got help via the official Prevent deradicalisation scheme.
Yet only 147 — one in 50 of those originally referred — are currently on the programme, says latest Home Office data.
The totals include those feared to hold extremist and right wing views.
Samuel Armstrong of think-tank the Henry Jackson Society warned: “We risk leaving the door open to terrorists.”
Chris Phillips, ex-head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, added: “Covid lockdowns have made the work of police and security services much more difficult — try following a suspect on empty streets.
"In addition many will be using the internet to radicalise others.
“We are in for a difficult time ahead with a high likelihood of further attacks.”
The low level of monitoring comes despite tip-offs about Islamic terrorism hitting a five-year high.
Referrals rose six per cent from 1,404 in 2019 to 1,487 last year. And 3,000 pieces of suspicious content were highlighted to the Counter-Terrorism Internet Referral Unit in 2020 compared with 2,796 in 2019.
The Government insists the police, security and intelligence agencies work round the clock to keep us safe and say they have disrupted 27 terrorist plots since 2017.
A Home Office spokesman said they had a range of tools available to manage the terror threat, including from suspects, and keep our citizens safe.
The spokesman added: “Prevent plays a vital role in stopping people being drawn into all forms of terrorism.
“Since 2015, 2,352 referrals have resulted in individuals identified as vulnerable to radicalisation receiving support.
Between April 2019 and March 2020, 697 individuals received Channel support to help turn them away from a dangerous path – the highest annual figure ever recorded.
This clearly shows that Prevent is tackling the threat from radicalisation and helping to keep our communities safe.”
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