A record 6,000 children were referred to the Prevent anti-terror scheme last year over obsessions with 'school massacres' and violence

The UK government's Prevent anti-terror scheme, which a review found prematurely closed its case on Southport killer Axel Rudakubana, received a record 6,085 child referrals in 2025.

Fifteen children were referred to Prevent under a newly created 'fascination with school massacre' category in 2025, up from just one case in 2023.

Referrals to the Prevent counter-terror programme have tripled since 2020, with 6,085 under-18s flagged last year compared with just 2,129 six years ago. The data, obtained by the Conservative Party through freedom of information requests to the National Police Chiefs' Council, shows the internet was the dominant radicalising force, with more than 1,700 referrals citing online activity as the primary influence. Cases with no clear extremist ideology — just a raw fixation on mass violence — account for a deeply troubling share of the total.

Referrals categorised as 'fascination with school massacre' leapt to 15 last year, up from just one case in 2023.

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was referred to Prevent three times before his case was closed because he showed no clear ideological motive.

Gaming was cited as a radicalising factor in 58 referrals, dwarfed by online activity but far ahead of extremist organisations.

thesun.ieRecord 6,000 kids flagged to anti-extremism scheme with obsession over violence - The Irish Sun The SunRecord 6,000 kids flagged to anti-extremism scheme over school massacres GB NewsRecord 6,000 children referred to anti-terror scheme as UK faces terrifying surge in youth extremism

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