With the rise of anti-system/anti-government violent extremism, growing distrust in governments and an increase in violent protests in recent years, the police and other law enforcement agencies are now on the frontline in responding to violent extremist activity. While they have always played a role in the detection, monitoring and pursuit of violent extremists, they now, more than ever, play a critical role in ensuring that violent extremist activities are not infiltrating non-extremist communities and that they do not become a mainstream phenomenon in our streets.
Increasingly, the police have a role in prevention work. In some Member States across Europe, the police have both the authority and trust among communities to reach out, engage, support and intervene where there is risk of radicalisation. Meanwhile, society’s increasing reliance on digital technologies means young people are spending more and more time in internet chat rooms, gaming platforms and gaming-adjacent platforms, and other relatively ungoverned digital spaces.
This edition of the RAN Practitioners Spotlight magazine therefore, takes a look at the important role of the police and law enforcement in preventing and countering violent extremism (P/ CVE). The publication shines a Spotlight on the RAN Police and Law Enforcement (RAN POL) Working Group, explores how the police can work online, discusses what the rise of anti-authorities extremism means and looks at how to deal with violent protests.
As always, we want to hear from you. If you would like to contribute to future editions of Spotlight, or if you have ideas for a topic, article, interview or feature, please get in touch with the RAN Practitioners communications team.
