Reflecting on the United Kingdom “Prevent” Counterterrorism Strategy

Police forces in the United Kingdom have long recognized the value of the community engagement aspect of policing and have sought to make it a cornerstone of the British policing philosophy through its various titles, its transitions, and its emphases. In its current iteration—often called neighborhood policing—community engagement continues to be a point of strong focus in the ongoing efforts to improve the safety and the security of communities in the United Kingdom. Since 2007, this policing philosophy has acquired the new and innovative partner of policing efforts specifically designed to address the roots of terrorism through a national counterterrorism strategy known as Prevent.