Preventing and Countering Extremism in the UK 2026: Building Strong Communities and Tackling Disinformation
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Overview:
In a time of increasing political division and social polarisation, the threat of extremism is more pressing than ever. Extremism has the potential to have profound implications for social cohesion and national stability. As the threat landscape is consistently changing sharing key developments, knowledge, and best practices is essential to ensure that we tackle extremism effectively in the UK.
- From March 2024-2025, there were 8,778 referrals to the Prevent programme, a 27% increase from the previous year and the highest number since data collection began in 2015
- Individuals aged 11 to 15 accounted for the largest proportion (3,192; 36%) of the 8,759 referrals to Prevent (Home Office, 2025)
- CTP arrests, on average, around 250 people every year on suspicion of terrorist offences (Counter Terrorism Policing, 2025)
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Dr Aram Ghaemmaghami FHEA, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice & Community Policing, University of Portsmouth (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: The Evolving Extremism Threat Landscape in 2026
- Examining how extremist ideologies are increasingly difficult to categorise
- Understanding the rise of mixed, unstable, and grievance-led ideologies
- Implications for practitioners navigating complex and non-traditional cases
- Analysing the impact of economic pressures, global migration, and institutional distrust on the extremism landscape
Dame Sara Khan, Independent Adviser for Social Cohesion and Resilience, UK Government (invited)
Keynote: CONTEST: Effectively Utilising UK P/CVE Services
- Outlining the UK’s contest strategy including its development and objectives: Prevent, Pursue, Protect, and Prepare
- Addressing the challenges, criticisms, and best practice cases of Prevent
- Strategies for facilitating effective multi-agency collaboration when delivering P/CVE strategies
- Strategies for adapting CONTEST to the changing threat landscape
Mark Chalmers, Operational CONTEST Manager, Westminster City Council (invited)
Keynote: Martyn’s Law and the Future of Public Protection in the UK
- Providing an overview of Martyn’s Law and its objectives in strengthening public safety
- Exploring the duty placed on publicly accessible venues and event organisers to assess, mitigate, and respond to terrorism-related risks
- Understanding what proportionate and risk-based compliance looks like for different types and sizes of venues
- Examining the role of staff training, preparedness, and clear incident response planning in reducing harm
- Considering how Martyn’s Law aligns with Prevent, CONTEST, and wider safeguarding and community resilience strategies
Nathan Emmerich, Co-founder Martyn’s Law Forum (invited)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Lived Experience: Addressing the Growth in Far-Right Movements
- Outlining the foundations and messaging of far-right movements
- Understanding how individuals are drawn into far-right movements and the impact of economic, political, and social pressures in fostering radicalisation
- The role of both traditional and social media in amplifying far-right views
- Strategies for strengthening social cohesion in communities that may be susceptible to far-right extremist views
Ivan Humble, Former Far Right Associate, New Day Starts (invited)
Keynote: Countering Extremism Without Stigmatisation
- Understanding how stigmatisation can undermine prevention efforts
- Avoiding unconscious bias in risk assessment and decision-making
- Designing inclusive messaging and interventions
- Building confidence among practitioners and communities
Sarah St Vincent, Executive Director, Rights and Security International (invited)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break & Networking
Breakout Networking: Engaging with At-Risk Individuals
Take part in a discussion about how your organisation has approached early intervention in addressing radicalisation. Explore the different methods used to identify individuals at risk of being drawn into extremist ideologies. Reflect on the role of collaboration across sectors, such as schools, social services, and law enforcement, in effectively intervening early to prevent radicalisation.
Case Study: From Referral to Recovery: What Good Prevent Practice Looks Like in 2026
- Clarifying thresholds, roles, and responsibilities within Prevent and Channel
- Learning from case reviews, inspections, and best practice examples
- Supporting individuals disengaging from extremist beliefs and networks
- Measuring impact while safeguarding rights and wellbeing
Jane Carter, Prevent Manager, Counter Terrorism Policing Wales (invited)
Case Study: Preventing the Spread of Extremism Through Community Resilience
- Overview of community-led approaches to building social cohesion as a protective factor against extremism
- Understanding the types of social, economic, and identity-based challenges communities may face, and how these can create vulnerabilities to polarisation and extremist narratives
- Exploring practical frameworks for strengthening connections and amplifying positive narratives to build long-term community resilience
- Key outcomes, insights, and lessons learned that can be applied across different local and regional contexts
Leela Sule, Community Connector, The Groundswell Project (invited)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Misogyny and Online Radicalisation
- Examining the growth of misogynistic extremism and its overlap with other ideologies
- Understanding pathways into incel and male supremacist communities
- The role of online platforms, algorithms, and influencers in normalising harmful narratives
- Early intervention approaches for education, youth services, and safeguarding professionals
Dr Mihaela Popa-Wyatt, Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Manchester (invited)
Case Study: Addressing the Impact of Religious Divisions on Extremism in the UK
- Outlining the impact of global religious conflict on domestic tensions and international threats
- Strategies for creating cohesive religious communities and fostering understanding across religions
- Guidance on engaging with individuals vulnerable to religious extremism
Rashad Ali, Senior Fellow, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (invited)
Questions & Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Dr Aram Ghaemmaghami FHEA, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice & Community Policing, University of Portsmouth (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Why You Should Attend
Why Attend:
✓ High-level keynotes on the latest initiatives and policies to counter extremism and prevent radicalisation, with insights from leading experts in the field
✓ Case studies showcasing best practice in counter-extremism strategies, community engagement, and early intervention to provide actionable insights for your organisation.
✓Collaborate with senior colleagues working across the public sector to prevent extremism
✓ Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Previous Speakers
Leela Sule
Community Connector
The Groundswell Project
Carys Evans
Head of Programmes and Impact
Connect Futures
Rory Donovan
Incident Response Team Manager
Tech Against Terrorism
Haydar Muntadhar
Prevent Manager
Croydon Council
Testimonials
“This event had a great mix of professionals, academics and organisations discussing new solutions to important problems within our communities.”
“This was an extremely informative event with excellent speakers with calibre in their fields of influence. Enjoyed this thoroughly and got a lot out of the day.”
“The sessions were packed with actionable insights, and the speakers were not only experts in their fields but also deeply engaging. I had the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and gain fresh perspectives that I’ve already started applying in my work.”
“A fantastic, jam-packed day that really enhanced the understanding of the issues professionals and communities are facing in relation to the evolving nature of terrorism in the UK.”
Who Should Attend?
| Job Title Examples | Organisation Examples |
| Social Workers | Schools |
| Teachers | Local Councils |
| Police Officers | Counter Terrorism Policing |
| Community | Charities |
| Prevent Officers | Police |
| Community Engagement Professionals | Community Hubs |
| Healthcare Professionals |
Pricing Options
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Voluntary Sector
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
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