Investigations into Com Groups such as Op Kayak have taught us that a criminal justice approach alone will not work. Op Kayak, led by NWROCU, arrested and charged three teenage boys with attempted murder for livestreaming the suicide of a teenage girl with mental health issues. All three stated that their arrest would not change their behaviours and would continue to engage with their com group, similarly the safeguarding of the young victim did not change her desire to continue to self-harm for the group. This reinforces the need to ensure we deliver a coherent PREVENT Strategy.

This panel will discuss how we can safeguard young people drawn into harmful subcultures online, bringing together experiences from Academia, Law Enforcement, Social Services and Child Protect Charities.