AIBU to think government departments should care if you are put in danger by having given information on radicalisation or possible links to extremists?

[user1480753035]

I went to prevent over worries for a child I was in contact with, had worries child may be at risk of radicalisation or around people with extrememist views. I eventually allowed prevent officers to reveal the information had come from me, on the basis that the family did not have my new address or any way of finding it ( All my social media accounts are at least 5 years out of date). I was reluctant to do this and tried to tell the police it wouldn't help. The result was the family tried to affect my work.

A government department (related to a different matter) has listed my previous address the family had and my current address online. I have tried to get it removed and I am being met with people who couldn't give a toss and are only interested in me following some pathetic red tape they can throw at me. They won't put themselves out slightly to help me, despite the fact I'm only in this situation because I did the right thing and believed the government crap that they would help with any potential issues you faced by giving this information. I gave them the contact numbers, email and police numbers for one of the anti-terrorist police officers I spoke to and forwarded an email from the prevent officers (That contained no information about the child protection issue, I made sure the details of the case were kept confidential). The response was some generic crap about getting the police, a doctor, any other medical professional and list of other people, to email them and mark for the attention of such and such and it will be removed. So my address will remain online for days, weeks, months, when they could have sorted it within minutes!

I don't care what information the anti-terrorist squad hold on this family, I don't want anyone with the slightest chance of a link to extremists and a vendetta against me having the location of me and my family. I feel like I've put my own children at risk by trying to help someone elses. AIBU?

I did Prevent training recently and they said there was no way they would ever reveal personal details - in fact unless something made the news, you would never even know the outcome!

Awful situation. Can you go back to the local Prevent lead and ask for their support/guidance? It's in their interests too, as they need people to feel protected when they report something suspicious.

Thanks confused. The family said the child would never have said the things I reported.The officers thought that if the family knew it was from me, they may accept it was true and allow the child to get help from Prevent. I said I really didn't think they would ( I can't go into details), I was of the opinion family was most likely source. I left it up to police to decided if they needed to give info and they said well if they give you any hassle let us know. I emailed them yesterday and haven't heard back. I don't even know if they are willing to help me.
It isn't as simple as giving the information and never hearing back, I was contacted by a social worker, then prevent police officers(which are part of anti-terrorist squad at Met). My initial standing was that I must remain anonymous, but then when they start saying it may help this child, you start agreeing to stuff you shouldn't.

If I'd had the same attitude as everyone I spoke to yesterday, I would have done nothing and wouldn't be in this situation. I hate the fact I am one of those stupid people that has the need to do the right thing, even when it lands them in a giant pile of crap!

You did the right thing, I'm so sorry it's come back to bite you It doesn't sound as if the family were going to accept what the child had said anyway - awful that they've put your family at risk for no real reason. Can you call the non-emergency police number and speak to someone directly? Once you're on the phone with someone it's their problem and they can't ignore you so easily.

Thank you confused, the department to change the online data is not open again until Monday. I didn't speak to the police yesterday, but everybody I did speak to didn't care. I'll have to phone them on Monday.
The worst thing is, I don't think the child has got any help anyway. Prevent can't do anything unless the family agree. It is a toothless beast, the worst they seem to be able to do is keep going back to the family to talk to them.
I shouldn't be surprised considering the stories in the press when teachers go to prevent and then end up with the family going to the papers about one comment. The school and age of the child is given, to the press by the family, then the teacher can be identified by everybody who knows them. Look at the "terraced" house and "terrorist" house press reports. They know the teacher didn't go about one thing, but school can only say there was more. The teacher cannot defend themselves by stating their worries, so their name is smeared. It seems like the government wants everything from us, with no real protection for us, our professional reputations, or even our families safety!
I knew the child would know it was me from the comments, they are told what you have said they said, but thought it would get help. I then went further and let the family be told my identity, all in the hope the child would get help. I always knew I wasn't cynical enough to be in the teaching profession.