The Gist
- Reporting period: 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025
- Published by GOV.UK – Home Office on 31 July 2026
- Covers individuals referred to Prevent
- Official statistics, not experimental
Why it matters: These statistics are the authoritative source for understanding the scale and nature of Prevent referrals in England and Wales.
This guide explains the Official Statistics release on individuals referred to the Prevent programme, covering the reporting period from October 2024 to September 2025. It details what the statistics include, who they cover, key dates, and how to access the data, with practical tips for researchers and the public.
The Home Office’s Official Statistics on individuals referred to Prevent offer the most reliable picture of how many people entered the programme between October 2024 and September 2025. This guide unpacks what the data covers, who it includes, and how you can get hold of it. Whether you’re a researcher, journalist, or simply curious, you’ll find the key facts here. Because the release is part of a regular series, you can also compare it with earlier years to track trends. We’ve added practical tips for using the figures responsibly.
At a glance
- Reporting period: 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025
- Publication date: 31 July 2026
- Publisher: GOV.UK – Home Office
- Type: Official statistics
- Coverage: Individuals referred to Prevent in England and Wales
What Are the Official Statistics: Individuals Referred to Prevent: to September…?
These official statistics come from the Home Office. They provide a detailed count of how many individuals were referred to the Prevent programme during a set period. Prevent is part of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, designed to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
The figures cover 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025, the most recent full reporting year. The release was published on 31 July 2026.
These are official statistics, meaning they follow the standards set by the UK Statistics Authority. They are not experimental or ad hoc. They belong to a regular series, and the data is collected and processed under strict quality guidelines, making the numbers reliable for research and policy work.
The release includes several key measures. You’ll find the total number of referrals, plus breakdowns by age group, gender, and reason for referral. It also shows how many referrals came from different sectors, such as education, health, or the police, and how many led to a formal assessment or support through the Channel programme. Channel is a multi-agency plan that provides tailored support to individuals at risk.
These measures help you see the full journey of a referral. Not every referral results in a formal assessment; some are signposted to other services. The statistics make that clear.
Who Is Included in the Official Statistics: Individuals Referred to Prevent: to September…?
The statistics include every individual referred to Prevent in England and Wales during the reporting period. Referrals can come from various sources, such as the police, local authorities, education providers, health professionals, social services, or community members.
The data breaks down referrals by age, gender, and reason for referral. It also shows how many led to a formal assessment or further action. Age groups are typically split into children and adults. Reasons for referral can include concerns about radicalisation, extremism, or terrorism-related activity.
Importantly, the statistics do not count every person who might be at risk. They only cover those formally referred. Some people may receive support without a formal referral—for example, a teacher might resolve a concern through a conversation with a student, and that case would not appear in the data.
The statistics also exclude referrals that were withdrawn or deemed not relevant. The Home Office applies a set of criteria to decide what counts as a Prevent referral, and the release notes explain these in detail.
If you’re studying a particular group, such as young people or a specific region, check the breakdown tables. The release provides data at national and regional levels, allowing you to see local patterns.
Key Dates for the Official Statistics: Individuals Referred to Prevent: to September…
The reporting period runs from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025. This is the standard annual cycle for Prevent statistics, aligning with the UK government’s financial year.
The statistics were published on 31 July 2026. If you need more recent data, you may have to wait for the next release. The Home Office usually publishes these statistics annually, but the exact date can vary, so check the GOV.UK page for updates.
For data from a different period, you can contact the Home Office directly. They may be able to provide additional information, though they might not have data for periods outside the regular release.
Be aware that the Home Office sometimes revises previously published data when new information emerges. Always check the latest version of the release to see if there have been any revisions.
How to Access the Official Statistics: Individuals Referred to Prevent: to September…
The statistics are available on the GOV.UK website. Search for “Prevent statistics” on GOV.UK, and you’ll find the release page with a clear title and publication date.
The release includes tables and charts, available as PDF and Excel files. You can download them for free. Excel files are handy for your own analysis, while PDFs are good for reading the summary and notes.
If you can’t find what you need, contact the Home Office statistics team. Their contact details are on the GOV.UK page. Be specific about what you need to get a quick response.
When using the data, cite the source correctly. Include the title, publisher, publication date, and web address so others can find the same information.
Tips for Using the Official Statistics: Individuals Referred to Prevent: to September…
Before diving into the data, read the accompanying notes. They explain definitions and methods, helping you avoid misinterpretation. For example, the notes will clarify how a referral is defined and what counts as a formal assessment.
Compare the data with previous years to spot trends. You might see an increase or decrease in referrals, or changes in the breakdown by age or reason, revealing shifts in the profile of referrals.
Be cautious when making comparisons. Data may be revised in later releases, so always check the latest version. Also, the methodology may change over time. If the Home Office alters how they count referrals, the numbers may not be directly comparable—the notes will flag such changes.
If you’re writing a report, use the official statistics as your primary source to add credibility. But also acknowledge the limitations, such as the fact that the statistics do not capture all at-risk individuals.
Consider using the data to inform policy discussions. The statistics can help you understand the scale of Prevent activity and identify gaps in support. For instance, if a particular age group has a high number of referrals, you might investigate why.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with the Official Statistics: Individuals Referred to Prevent: to September…
A common mistake is confusing referrals with assessments. A referral is just the initial report; not every referral leads to a formal assessment. The statistics show both numbers separately, so don’t assume they’re the same.
Another mistake is using the data to make claims about the overall threat level. The statistics only cover referrals, not the actual number of people involved in terrorism. They measure activity, not risk.
Some people also misuse the data by ignoring the notes, which contain important caveats. For example, the data may not include all cases due to data protection rules. Always read the notes before drawing conclusions.
Finally, don’t forget to check the publication date. If you’re using the data in a report, make sure it’s the most recent release. Outdated data can lead to incorrect conclusions.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Official Statistics: Individuals Referred to Prevent: to September…
Here are answers to common questions about this release.
What is the reporting period? The reporting period is 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025.
When were the statistics published? They were published on 31 July 2026.
Who publishes them? The Home Office publishes them on GOV.UK.
Are they official statistics? Yes, they meet the standards of the UK Statistics Authority.
How can I access the data? You can download the data from the GOV.UK website. Look for the Prevent statistics page.
Can I get data for a different period? You can contact the Home Office statistics team. They may be able to help, but they are not obliged to provide custom data.
Are the statistics revised? Yes, the Home Office may revise data in later releases. Always check the latest version.
Do the statistics include all referrals? They include all formal referrals that meet the Home Office’s criteria. Some informal support is not counted.
Can I compare these statistics with other countries? Be careful. Different countries have different definitions and systems. Direct comparisons may be misleading.
Are there any regional breakdowns? Yes, the release includes data by police force area and region. This helps you see local patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reporting period for these statistics?
The reporting period is from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025.
When were the statistics published?
The statistics were published on 31 July 2026.
Who publishes these statistics?
The Home Office publishes them on GOV.UK.
Are these statistics official?
Yes, they are official statistics, meaning they meet the standards of the UK Statistics Authority.
How can I access the data?
You can download the data from the GOV.UK website. Look for the Prevent statistics page.
Can I get data for a different period?
You can contact the Home Office statistics team. They may be able to help, but they are not obliged to provide custom data.
Are the statistics revised?
Yes, the Home Office may revise data in later releases. Always check the latest version.
Do the statistics include all referrals?
They include all formal referrals that meet the Home Office’s criteria. Some informal support is not counted.
Can I compare these statistics with other countries?
Be careful. Different countries have different definitions and systems. Direct comparisons may be misleading.
Are there any regional breakdowns?
Yes, the release includes data by police force area and region. This helps you see local patterns.
Before you apply
These official statistics give you a reliable picture of Prevent referrals. To get the data, visit the GOV.UK page and download the files. Read the notes carefully. If you have questions, contact the Home Office. Use the data to inform your work or research, and remember to check for updates and revisions. With careful use, these statistics can be a valuable resource for understanding Prevent activity in England and Wales.
