Many of us can relate to having a relative over the age of 60 with slightly questionable views. Far fewer of us can relate to the experience of a loved one becoming taken in by extreme views and becoming radicalised, but it’s still an issue which affects thousands.

The number of people lured in by the far-right has steadily increased in the last 20 years, in tandem with the expansion of social media, the rising cost of living, and the growing polarisation of politics since the EU referendum in 2016. Additionally, research from the charity Hope not Hate found that there was a 102 per cent increase in ‘anti-migrant activism’ in 2022 alone.

We’ve also witnessed the far-right roused by inflammatory language from high-profile politicians: most recently, many have claimed that Suella Braverman describing pro-Palestine marches as “hate marches” fuelled violence carried out by far-right mobs on Armistice Day this year. Plus, a number of far-right governments have been elected in the past few years, including in Italy, the Netherlands, and Argentina, further emboldening far-right extremists across the world.

It can be difficult to know what to do if you suspect that a friend or relative is being radicalised. Below, we speak to two experts about how to spot the signs of radicalisation, how to support someone who you suspect is being radicalised, and when to reach out for additional help.

Nigel Bromage is CEO of the Exit Hate Trust, an organisation established to help people walk away from extremism. He explains that signs that someone is being radicalised can vary, but can include: people isolating themselves from friends and family; making new friends over the internet, who no one knows; talking about politics “as if from a scripted speech” and using one-liners; spending more time online; an unwillingness to discuss their views and a strong sense that they are always right; a sudden disrespectful attitude towards others, particularly towards people from ethnic minority groups; increased levels of anger, particularly against “the media, politicians, and different communities”; increased secretiveness; new tattoos of numbers or symbols; talking supportively about extremist or racist groups.

“Warning signs could also include someone suddenly becoming highly animated by issues around polarising issues such as migration or LGBTQ+ rights, with a belief that direct action – including abuse and harassment of minorities – rather than democratic processes are the route to addressing complex societal issues,” adds Milo Comerford, head of counter-extremism policy and research at The Institute for Strategic Dialogue. “You might also see someone being drawn into a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories, often online. This kind of worldview – which sees a shadowy elite controlling the masses – can serve as a stepping stone towards extremism, a pipeline we sadly saw regularly during the Covid pandemic.”

“The most serious warning signs of far-right extremism are the directing of hate towards specific groups, the normalisation of political violence, and the rejection of liberal democratic principles, such as pluralism and fundamental human rights,” he continues. “But at its heart far-right extremism is about supremacy – whether this is religious, racial or cultural. This could manifest as extreme nationalism, a belief in the superiority of white people, or a belief in the cultural inferiority of minorities, such as Muslims or Jews.”

Bromage adds that it’s important to keep in mind that “anyone” can be susceptible to extremist messaging. “We support people from all walks of life, with many often middle-class and well-educated, but who feel ignored and unheard,” he says. “Extremists offer people a place to air their views and be given a purpose and value.” Comerford agrees: “There is no specific profile for radicalisation, vulnerabilities are highly diverse and pathways into extremism multifaceted,” he says.

Both Bromage and Comerford recommend reaching out to the person you’re concerned about. “Offer them a listening ear, ask about what concerns they have, how they feel and try and find out what is going on,” Bromage recommends. “Don’t expect to be able to help them with the fundamental challenges they might be facing, but it can be helpful to know that people are there for them, and to provide a space to talk,” Comerford adds.

Bromage stresses that it’s also important to keep things calm, and never use terms like ‘racist’ or ‘Nazi’. “It doesn’t help, makes people angry and you could make someone more extreme,” he says. He advises approaching the issue from a place of compassion. “Many people who get involved in extremism, do so because of other issues – bereavement, substance misuse, victims of violence or abuse, the list goes on, so what’s important is to see the person as an individual and not an extremist first. Many are victims, not monsters and need support.”

Bromage and Comerford also stress that individuals shouldn’t feel as though they have to be responsible for deradicalising someone. “Talk to someone, don‘t carry the burden yourself, get support,” Bromage says. Deradicalisation, Comerford says, “is the job of a professional” and very often well-meaning attempts to help “will only serve to entrench extremist perspectives, and isolate them further”.

For more serious concerns, Comerford recommends speaking to a safeguarding officer within an institution relevant to the individual – for example, their school or their workplace. “They will likely be best placed to provide support to someone who may be at risk.” He also cites “mental health services, youth workers, and social services” as other organisations which may be able to help. “Many local councils provide support services, but you can also research local organisations looking to make a difference within communities like the Active Change Foundation, Communities Inc or Faiths Forum for London,” he adds. 

Anti-extremism charities can also help, including Hope not Hate and Exit Hate Trust. “You aren’t alone and can get help to keep the person safe and assist them if needed to walk away from extremism,” Bromage says. “Our staff are former activists or family members who have had a loved one involved and now use our negative experiences to try and support people to walk away from hate and support families going through hell.”

Join Dazed Club and be part of our world! You get exclusive access to events, parties, festivals and our editors, as well as a free subscription to Dazed for a year. Join for £5/month today.