NHS radicalisation referral figures revealed

National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) figures show that the NHS referred 420 patients and staff to police in a year over concerns they were at risk of radicalisation. A freedom of information request by BBC Radio 5 Live has reported that the average amount of monthly referrals is rising, with an average of 35 referrals a month in the year to July 2016 showing an increase from 21 a month the previous year. Health professionals have raised concerns over referrals in the past, warning that patients might be less willing to access mental health treatment with some doctors have also said they fear some psychiatric patients have been referred inappropriately. A Department of Health spokesperson said: "Radicalising vulnerable people and encouraging terrorist acts is something which NHS staff should treat as a safeguarding issue." Through the government’s Prevent programme, public bodies have a legal duty to report people considered at risk of being drawn into terrorism.