Parents at a High Wycombe grammar school have been informed pupils will be visited by police officers from a unit dedicated to preventing the growth of terrorism after one of its former pupils is suspected to have left the UK to join ISIS.

The move comes after concerns were raised that former pupil, Shabazz Suleman, 18, might have travelled to a war-stricken state in the Middle East.

It is understood that the police are currently investigating the situation.

Wycombe MP Steve Baker told the BFP he was aware of the situation but said there was also some speculation that Shabazz may be involved with the relief effort in the region.

Royal Grammar School’s headteacher, Roy Page, released a statement to parents stating: “I wish to reassure you that we are working with the relevant authorities and will continue to do so.

“We are also aware that there will be interest amongst the school and we have arranged for all pupils at the school to be spoken to by ‘The Prevent Team’ from Thames Valley Police.”

According to Thames Valley Police's website: “The overarching aim of Prevent is to stop people becoming involved in or supporting all forms of terrorism.”

The website states the engagement officers are tasked with: “Ensuring that terrorism is prevented from taking root in our communities and neighbourhoods.

“They support the wider engagement activities already taking place in schools, places of worship, and community groups.

“Through this work they aim to strengthen communities in order to challenge the ideologies and messages of hate which lead to terrorism.”

Mr Page told the Bucks Free Press: “Shabazz was a pupil at the Royal Grammar School High Wycombe from September 2007 until May 2014, when he left on examination leave to take his A levels in Economics, Psychology and History.

“We have fully cooperated with the relevant authorities and will continue to do so.”

Supt Ed Mclean, Local Police Area Commander for Wycombe, said: “Whilst I would not look to comment on any specific case I would like to say that my team have been liaising and supporting the Royal Grammar School and we continue to work with the communities of Wycombe to identify and prevent vulnerable people from travelling to Syria by highlighting the associated dangers.

“I would encourage anyone who is concerned that persons may be planning to travel to Syria to contact us or trusted community leaders. Anyone who does travel to Syria will find themselves the focus of a police investigation.”

Members of the Muslim community have spoken out against the horrific behaviour of the Islamic State and have highlighted the importance of safeguarding young people from the threat of terror.

The latest news comes just weeks after the Wycombe community was shocked by former Cressex school pupil Omar Hussain’s appearance on Newsnight, in which he joked about beheading enemies and vowed to only return to the UK to wage war.

Mohammed Khaliel, director of Islamix, said it was no longer enough to simply condemn those joining ISIS and consider them as individual cases – the issue has now become too widespread to do this.

Mr Khaliel said: “We need to move the debate forward. We need to ask ‘what is it that is causing a number of intelligent young individuals around the country to go on this very dangerous journey?’ Only by dealing with the causes can we stem the tide of this.

“Our thoughts should also be with the parents and families who are victims and suffer same traumatic symptoms as losing a loved one.

“Their ordeal is continuous, not knowing if their children will come back, dead or alive.”

Wycombe MP Steve Baker said he was aware there was a possibility someone from the community had gone over to Iraq or Syria – but that the person had previously been there delivering aid, so it was not certain why he had gone.

The Conservative MP added: “Clearly the departure of people from Wycombe to Syria is a challenge for us.

“I am absolutely convinced the vast majority of British Muslims just want to live their lives in peace. It’s critical we all unite to combat extremism.”