Primary school pupils were among those who drove a 65 per cent increase in anti-extremism referrals last year as concern grows about incel and internet subcultures.
More than half of Scottish referrals made to Prevent — part of the UK government’s counterterrorism strategy to identify people at risk of extremism — concerned individuals under 18, according to statistics.
In 2021-22 there were 91 referrals across all age groups compared with 55 in 2020-21. Most of those reported were aged 15-20 but 30 per cent were younger.
While most referrals were made by the police, more than a third of the total reports were filed by schools and colleges. Two referrals came from primary schools and 27 from secondary schools.
