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Hundreds referred to counter terror scheme by NHS

Hundreds of NHS patients and staff have been referred to the government's controversial anti-terror programme Prevent.

5 live Investigates has discovered that 420 people have been reported since a new scheme was introduced in July 2015, requiring public sector workers to identify anyone they fear may be at risk from radicalisation.

But the vast majority of referrals are rejected - with only one in ten assessed as being at risk. The figures were obtained through a Freedom of Information request to the National Police Chiefs Council.

The Department of Health tells the programme: ‘Radicalising vulnerable people and encouraging terrorist acts is something which NHS staff should treat as a safeguarding issue. That's why through the Prevent programme, we are improving training and guidance so staff can effectively spot the signs and act in the same way they would for any other form of abuse.’

This clip was originally taken from 5 live Investigates on 20th November 2016.

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