Suspect in Golders Green stabbing was previously referred to Prevent

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Essa Suleiman, the 45-year-old man suspected of stabbing two Jewish men in north London on Wednesday, was referred to Prevent in 2020. His case was reportedly closed six weeks later. The counter-extremism programme was introduced in 2003 to guide people away from terrorist ideology and is central to the government’s counter-terror strategy. In 2015 it became a statutory duty of “specified authorities”, including councils and schools, to report people at risk of radicalisation. Last year there were 8,778 referrals to the scheme, but a review in 2024 said that it needed more expertise, better delivery and recalibrated goals. A separate review concluded that Prevent had “prematurely” closed its case on Axel Rudakubana, who was referred three times before killing three girls at a dance party.