Understanding extremism in Scotland: public sector practitioner perceptions and views

5. Public sector practitioners’ experiences of extremism in their work

5.1. Introduction

This section will address the following research question:

• To what extent have public sector practitioners observed or experienced extremism in Scotland?

In both the qualitative and the quantitative research, before being shown any definition of extremism, public sector practitioners were asked if they had ever dealt with extremism as part of their work. In the qualitative discussions, a time frame of the last five years was specified.

In the survey, respondents were told that their answer ‘could include observing behaviour that is motivated by extremist views’. This instruction was designed to make the survey easier to complete, rather than to dictate how respondents described their experience with either extremism or Prevent, and no further prompting was given, in order to draw out participants’ unprompted responses.

This section will cover the extent to which public sector practitioners reported an experience of extremism at work in the survey, including differences by job sector and role type. The section then explores the details of the experiences reported by public sector practitioners in both the quantitative and qualitative samples, starting with the personal characteristics and circumstances relating to the individual of concern, then turning to any actions and behaviours cited, and any detail on the setting of the experience. Finally, the conclusions of the section will be set out.

5.2. Prevalence of experiences of extremism

In the survey, approximately two fifths of public sector practitioners (39%) reported having had personal experiences of extremism in a work setting. Public sector practitioners who reported an experience were more likely to talk about the attitude, belief or ideology they encountered when describing their experience than any other aspects of the experience, such as the behaviours witnessed, where it occurred or who was involved. The attitudes, beliefs or ideologies encountered are discussed in section 4.4, meaning this section focuses on the other aspects of the experience that were mentioned.

As shown in Figure 9, public sector practitioners working in local authorities and social work were most likely to report having had an experience of extremism (57%). Public sector practitioners in this sector, along with the prison and police sectors (52% and 43% respectively) were significantly more likely to report an experience of extremism than those in education (35%) and health and social care (21%).

Q9. What experience, if any, have you had with extremism as part of your work?

Base: All respondents, n=492; Police Scotland, n=74; Scottish Prisons Service, n=85; Local authorities and social work, n=99; Education, n=93; Health and social care, n=141.

As shown in Figure 10, public sector practitioners in Prevent managerial roles were significantly more likely to have had an experience of extremism than those in Prevent non-managerial roles (55% compared with 33%).

Q9. What experience, if any, have you had with extremism as part of your work?

Base: All respondents, n=492; Practitioners with Prevent managerial roles, n=142; Practitioners with Prevent non-managerial roles n=350.

In the qualitative research, practitioners with Prevent-related roles were similarly much more likely than those without a Prevent-related role to have had an experience relating to extremism in a work setting. This was a result of the fact that Prevent was a key aspect of their role. However, the experiences they recounted were often Prevent concerns being reported to them by colleagues rather than their own direct experiences of extremism. In contrast, experiences cited by practitioners without Prevent-related roles were more likely to be direct experiences with a member of the public.

5.3. Personal characteristics and circumstances

When public sector practitioners described their experiences of extremism as part of their work, many referred to the individual characteristics of the person who exhibited the extremist views, or to their personal circumstances.

The most common characteristic referenced was age, in particular that the experience involved a child (often a school pupil) or young person; for example, a child using racist language in school. According to the Prevent referral data (Police Scotland, 2023b), of the 91 referrals made to Prevent in Scotland in 2021/22, the largest proportion (37%) were for individuals aged 15-20 years.

Several experiences also referenced people who were felt to be vulnerable to being radicalised, for example, individuals who are isolated or lonely. A small proportion of experiences specifically cited individuals with mental health difficulties or autism, although it was not clear whether named conditions were officially diagnosed or simply practitioners’ own assumptions.

“[A] young person with autism with whom I work expresses a desire to gain an authoritarian position within Scotland to create his fantasy of a ‘white, Celtic, ethno-state’. He believes English people are persecuting Scotland. He is also afraid of Islamic terrorism. He idolizes Adolf Hitler who he admires for having gained strong control and leadership over his country.”

(Practitioner with a Prevent non-managerial role, Primary / secondary education, Survey)

Due to the nature of their work, those in the prison sector presented specific examples involving those in custody, such as attempts to radicalise other prisoners, or using extremist language (for example, racist slurs) in an attempt to threaten prison workers.

These findings are supported by the qualitative interviews, where public sector practitioners brought up similar themes around vulnerability.

5.4. Actions and behaviours

While very few public sector practitioners referenced specific actions or behaviours in describing their experiences of extremism, when behaviours were referenced, these included verbal abuse (for example, in-person and online harassment of individuals within the LGBT community), spreading or promoting extreme views, and attending marches, demonstrations and rallies.

Public sector practitioners in the qualitative research also spoke about actions and behaviours across various settings, which included drawing swastikas, echoing extreme opinions from online sources, and idolising extreme right-wing political figures.

“I had a school once where two boys were writing stuff about Oswald Mosley on their Chromebooks and they were drawing swastikas and National Action logos. The logo is where we thought there’s a bit more knowledge there, as lots of kids just draw swastikas.”

(Practitioner with a Prevent-related role, Police Scotland, In-depth interview)

5.5. Setting

Schools (typically secondary schools) were the most common setting reported in the research when detailing an experience of extremism at work, despite education practitioners being one of the least likely sectors to report an experience with extremism. In addition to education practitioners working in schools, practitioners working in the police and local authority sectors often mentioned behaviour that was identified in a school when detailing their experiences. For example, one police officer spoke about being the local liaison officer for schools in their area, meaning they get contacted if education practitioners have a concern. Another officer described that part of their role is to raise awareness of extremism in schools, and they may identify extremist behaviour that way.

Furthermore, schools were seen as places where public sector practitioners can intervene before behaviours become more extreme. For example, one police officer spoke about calling social workers or someone with a designated Prevent-related role at the school for guidance if a young person exhibited troubling behaviours, rather than immediately making a Prevent referral. This is because they felt the school would have more information on the individual and be better equipped to deal with the case.

“School link officers [are roles more likely to deal with extremism]. Concerning views are particularly obvious in younger people and they might not be so guarded in what they say. They might not conceal it as well as adults, who might be worried about what people might think.”

(Practitioner without a Prevent-related role, Police Scotland, In-depth interview)

A finding that came out more strongly in the qualitative research is the extent to which homes can serve as a setting for extremist views and behaviours to develop amongst adults, and be identified. It was suggested that this can be identified by social workers or police officers on home visits, for example.

“We speak to a lot of people in their own homes, so you get quite an idea of their views and lifestyles by just what is around them. Any kind of worrying imagery, logos, singing certain [football] songs and so on.”

(Practitioner without a Prevent-related role, Police Scotland, In-depth interview)

5.6. Conclusions

Approximately two fifths of survey respondents (39%) reported an experience of extremism as part of their work. Public sector practitioners working in local authorities were most likely to have reported an experience of extremism at work, followed by those in the prison and police sectors.

Public sector practitioners in Prevent managerial roles were also more likely than those in Prevent non-managerial roles to report an experience (55% compared with 33%).

Public sector practitioners’ descriptions of their experiences were more likely to mention the attitudes, beliefs or ideologies behind the extremism than refer to specific behaviours.

The most common setting for an experience of extremism referenced in both the qualitative and quantitative research was in schools, which was mentioned not only by education practitioners, but also those working in the police and local authority sectors.