Written question asked by Patrick Mercer (Conservative) on Monday, 9 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 March 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Community Relations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what mechanisms are used by the Channel Project to determine whether an individual is vulnerable to becoming involved in violent extremism.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.There is no single profile of a violent extremist. There are a range of factors and vulnerabilities that may facilitate the process of radicalisation. The prevent strategy: A guide for local partners includes a widely circulated description of the factors that might leave a person more susceptible to exploitation by violent extremists. Local partners, including the police and statutory and community partners, work together to assess an individual's vulnerability to becoming involved in violent extremism.

Secondary information