The prevention of radicalization is an example of a "wicked problem": a problem which no single actor can handle alone, and which is almost impossible to solve. Throughout the last decade, Nordic governments have therefore imposed increased cooperation across state, private and civil society actors to strengthen the prevention of radicalization and violent extremism (PRVE). Collaborative PRVE efforts has involved the assignment of new responsibilities to schools, social and child care services, civil society organizations, religious societies, local communities and others - also involving the police and its secret service. PRVE has thus changed from primarily being a law enforcement issue, to become the shared responsibility of citizens, local communities and an array of state and private actors. A work logic have been established that centers around forestalling criminal extremist acts from ever happening. The implementation of these new responsibilities, collaborative practices and preemptive logics have been crucial in creating what is currently a loose nation-wide structure and apparatus for PRVE in Norway.
This paper traces the emergence of PRVE as a new policy field in Norway, provides a description of its characteristics and associated practices, while also discussing the role of the police and security-orientation in multi-agency PRVE work.