Last month, three British girls boarded a plane to Istanbul and subsequently crossed into Syria where it’s believed they were planning to join Islamic State militants.

The story very much resonated with Owen Connolly because of an experience he had with a 17-year-old girl in London in 2003.

He was contacted by her distraught parents after she had disappeared leaving farewell notes for her family. Owen managed to meet with this girl, and from there began a long and challenging process to de-radicalise her.

Consultant psychologist Owen Connolly spoke to Wendy about his experience and what it says about influences on young people.