Decision Reference Number: WPCC4-0028
Lead Officer: Richard Long
Chief Officer approval: Not required
Date: 11th October 2024
Status: Non-confidential
Decision summary:
The Prevent duty standard operating procedure outlines the operating model undertaken by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire (OPCC) to ensure that it is complying with the statutory duty under Section 26 Counter-Terrorism & Security Act 2015 (CTSA 2015), which sets out that specified authorities.
I confirm that my register of interests declaration is up to date and that none of my interests preclude me from making this decision.
Signature: P. Seccombe
Date: 18 October 2024
Supporting information
1. Background information
This document outlines the standard operating model undertaken by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire (OPCC) to ensure that it is complying with the statutory duty under Section 26 Counter-Terrorism & Security Act 2015 (CTSA 2015), which sets out that specified authorities, “must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” (the ‘Prevent duty’).
The guidance set out in this document is based on the Counter-Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST) 2023, the statutory Prevent Duty Guidance 2023, the Channel Guidance 2023, and benchmarks set out in the Home Office Prevent Duty Toolkit.
CONTEST’s overarching aim remains to reduce the risk to the United Kingdom and its citizens and interests overseas from terrorism, so that our people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.
The model of delivery will be reviewed annually or as soon as possible after the publication of any revised or new national guidance that relates to the Prevent duty.
2. List of additional information attached as appendices
Prevent: OPCC Standard Operating Procedure.
3. Expected benefits
The procedure sets out the activity that the OPCC will undertake in order to ensure our delivery of Prevent is compliant with the activities, practices and processes outlined in the eight sections of the Home Office Prevent Toolkit. This includes both the partnership element of our obligations under the duty, as well the specific guidance relating to the police sector as detailed in the Prevent duty guidance. These activities will ensure the OPCC is effectively contributing to the delivery of a proportionate and effective response to the local Prevent risks in Warwickshire.
4. Impact of not approving the application
The current policy is outdated and does not reflect current good practise in managing OPCC compliance.
5. Costs (including any identified savings)
There are no direct costs as a result of this policy, but by managing risk effectively this could result in a reduction in costs, or cost avoidance by the OPCC.
6. Equality considerations
There are none directly arising from this policy, and the policy applies to all OPCC risks.
7. Legal comments
The OPCC’s standard operating procedure will help to ensure that the risks associated with the legal and statutory functions of the OPCC can be managed effectively and that good governance arrangements are in place.
8. Social or Environmental considerations
All relevant policies apply
9. Publication
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Unless the information provided is covered by an exemption and stated to be either confidential or partly confidential, the information contained in the form will be published on the OPCC website.
Comments from the Treasurer
Whilst there are no direct financial implications as a result of this standard, not having the correct governance arrangements in place could result in significant financial and non-financial implications for the PCC. This policy and effective standard procedure management helps to reduce the likelihood of this occurring.
Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer
A relevant and comprehensive procedure will provide the OPCC with a framework to ensure that good governance arrangements. It will also help to ensure that appropriate actions and mitigations can be put in place to reduce identified risks where possible.
