Portsmouth Prevent aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, in all its forms.

Channel is a multi-agency safeguarding programme run in every local authority in England and Wales. It focuses on early intervention to protect vulnerable people from being radicalised and help them avoid being drawn into extremism.

The Channel Panel is chaired by the Council and supported by multi‐agency partners to collectively assess the risk to an individual and decide whether an intervention is necessary.

We process information about vulnerable adults and young people at risk of radicalisation, professionals working to support them and any other related individuals.

The types of information we process may include:

  • Names and contact information for the people we support
  • Allegations and details of behaviour, including online activity
  • Family situation and details of associates
  • Sensitive personal information such as details of vulnerabilities and risks to health and wellbeing
  • Information about previous cautions and convictions
  • Background information, such as education or housing, if relevant.

We process personal data to meet our statutory duties under:

  • Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to reduce the risk of radicalisation and offer support to those who are at risk.
  • Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 to offer support to people with care and support needs who are at risk of harm.
  • Under GDPR our lawful basis for processing personal data is Article 6 (1)(e) (processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority) and Article 9(2)(g) (processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest).

We receive information from –

  • Members of the public making reports.
  • Police and the Home Office, Office of Security and Counter-Terrorism.
  • Internet service providers and other organisations with concerns about their customers or service users.
  • Professionals at other organisations. These may include Hampshire Fire & Rescue, Health Organisations such as Solent Health and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, the Ministry Of Defence and Armed Forces, schools and academies.
  • Voluntary sector organisations, community organisations and charities.
  • Housing providers including shelter and hostel accommodation.

 

We will keep your personal information safe and confidential.  Where we are required or permitted by law to do so, We will share your information with relevant Health organisations and Hampshire Constabulary so that we can make a decision on what to do in response to the information we have received, including whether a referral should be made to the Channel Panel. The legal gateway for this information sharing is the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.

We will also share your information where –

  • We deliver shared functions as part of the Channel Panel process.
  • A person may be at risk of harm if the information is not shared.
  • It is necessary to prevent, detect, investigate or punish a crime.
  • We are required by law to share it.

Channel Panel

When a Channel Panel referral is received, we share personal data with local partners to meet our Statutory duties under Sections 36 to 41 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to provide support for people vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.  ‘Partners’ may include, but is not limited to, representatives from the following organisations, where relevant to the referral:

  • Health Sector
  • Educational Establishments
  • Police
  • Home Office Immigration (Immigration Enforcement, UK Visas & Immigration)
  • Border Force
  • Other local authorities
  • Prisons
  • Probation Services.

We retain records relating to Prevent and Channel Panel for 7 years from the date our period of involvement closes. The information will be reviewed, and only retained where there is an ongoing requirement to retain for a statutory or lawful purpose. Following this your personal information will be securely destroyed.

You have some legal rights in respect of the personal information we collect from you. Please see our data protection privacy notice for more information.

The City Council’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted on DataProtection@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

If you have a concern about the way we are collecting or using your personal data, you should raise your concern with us in the first instance or directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office.