Hundreds of very young children have been referred to the UK government’s counter-extremism programme before they’ve even had a chance to start school, the vast majority for “Islamist Extremism” concerns, figures reveal.

388 children of pre-school age were referred to the Prevent deradicalisation programme in the eight years leading to 2024, including 45 babies under one-years-old and 138 aged two or younger. The vast majority of these referrals are for “Islamist Extremism”.

‘Prevent’ is an element of the United Kingdom’s counter-terrorism programme ‘Contest’ set up in the wake of the 7/7 London terrorist bombings.

The figures were uncovered by Muslim-interest magazine Hyphen Online, which notes the extraordinary numbers are the first time there’s been a comprehensive breakdown of the

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