Introduction

As the first research into how the Government’s decision to add right-wing extremism within its counter terrorism Prevent Strategy has impacted on frontline practitioners within the police service and local authorities, this chapter sets the book within the wider context of studies analysing political responses to right-wing extremism, the increasing threat profile associated with this form of extremism, and how this phenomenon has acquired increased significance in recent years from a U.K. perspective. It orientates the reader with the definition of right-wing extremism used in order to conduct the research in support of this book. It then goes on to set out the rationale for selecting the English Defence League as an access point to analyse the impact of this policy shift. Furthermore, it explains the criteria by which Luton, Newcastle and Waltham Forest were identified as case study sites in order to explore the frontline practitioner experience.