NEARLY 800 people — more than a third under 18 — were referred to “deradicalisation schemes” by authorities within just three months, a report showed yesterday.

A total of 796 individuals, including 312 children, were reported to the government’s Channel programme for intervention between June and August this year.

The new statistics obtained by the Press Association come after new measures have been introduced that place a legal requirement on public bodies — such as schools and councils — to stop people being drawn into terrorism.

An average of eight people per day were referred during those three months as part of efforts to stop British youngsters travelling to Syria after being recruited by the so-called Islamic State (Isis).

Channel, first piloted in 2007, came under fresh scrutiny last week when it emerged that a 14-year-old boy believed to be “Britain’s youngest terrorist” was referred to the voluntary scheme.

He then went on to help plot a terror attack in Australia, which was ultimately thwarted.