Primary school boy referred to Prevent programme after teacher mishears 'alms' as 'arms'

28 June 2021, 10:10

The boy was apparently misheard by his teacher
The boy was apparently misheard by his teacher. Picture: PA

By Will Taylor

An 11-year-old primary school pupil was referred to the Prevent counter-extremism programme after his teacher misheard him in a class discussion.

The teacher had asked what the class would do if they were given a large amount of money, to which the boy said he would "give alms to the oppressed".

But this was apparently misheard as "give arms", as in weapons, and the child - who comes from a Muslim family - was referred to the programme designed to stop radicalisation.

Attiq Malik, the solicitor representing the pupil's parents, told the Telegraph: "You've got a child who has made a very good and positive comment about giving aid, alms, to the people who need it across the world.

"But because of (the boy's) race or religion, the teacher has interpreted it as being something completely opposite, and reported him to Prevent."

The Guardian said the boy's engineer father and mother, a dentist, have been left distraught and worried the referral will stay on their son's file.

They fear it will remain even though Warwickshire and West Mercia Police closed the case quickly.

"This has had a massive impact on us as a family. My wife hasn't slept properly since this happened," the father said.

"We want answers and we want justice. All pupils should be treated equally and with integrity."

The newspaper also reported that it has seen the referral, which said the boy "lives with mum and dad – attends a local mosque". The paper said the boy is thought of as highly intelligent at the school.

Prevent is a multi-agency programme designed to stop people becoming terrorists.

Police say many referrals do not lead to further action from officers, but in some cases mental health or education services will step in.

"All referrals to police are handled with sensitivity and in confidence. If a person is assessed as being a terrorism risk, they may be referred to Home Office's Channel Programme and maybe given help from a mentor," the Counter Terrorism Policing website adds.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump nominates Pam Bondi for attorney general hours after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Netanyahu faces arrest if he travels to Britain as Starmer vows to enforce International Criminal Court warrant

Yvette Cooper has branded the Rwanda scheme a "complete con."

Yvette Cooper to crack down on anti-social behaviour with new 'respect orders' as repeat offenders face jail time

King Charles III And Queen Camilla on Coronation Day

King Charles' coronation cost taxpayer £72 million, report reveals

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City

Pep Guardiola signs two-year contract extension with Manchester City

Captain Tom's Daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Behaviour at Captain Tom charity left ex-boss 'gobsmacked'

Armed robbers attempted to break into the star's Sunderland home.

Masked machete-wielding robbers break into Charlotte Crosby's home while she is upstairs with two-year-old daughter

Police have released new CCTV of Harshita Brella and her husband

Chilling CCTV released of Harshita Brella and prime murder suspect husband on night she was killed

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark triumphant finale

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark show's triumphant finale

King Charles performs a Hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, with Mere Takoko

King Charles shares traditional Maori nose rub greeting with activist as he launches environmental charity

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

Putin issues chilling warning to UK and US as he confirms Russia hit Ukraine with new 'experimental' ballistic missile

Telegraph writer Allison Pearson.

Police drop investigation into journalist Allison Pearson over tweet - as review to be launched over handling of case

Exclusive
Angela Rayner has paid tribute to John Prescott

Angela Rayner says John Prescott 'used to call her after PMQs to remind her to stay true to who she is'

Four men have been arrested accused of attempting to rob a mobile phone store

Undercover police arrest four men after EE shop raided by masked gang

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Its Sixth Test Flight Of Starship Spacecraft

Elon Musk pledges to fire civil servants who work from home