£12.5 Million to tackle
radicalisation and help prevent extremism in communities
HOME OFFICE News
Release (109/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 3 June 2008
New guidance to
help and support local authorities, schools, community groups and
the police to tackle violent extremism and prevent radicalisation
in communities was launched today by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith,
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and Children, Schools and
Families Secretary Ed Balls.
The Government's counter terrorism strategy has a clear
focus on preventing people getting involved with violent extremism
in the first place. The new guidance offers advice about how to
turn the Government's strategy into practical measures that
make a real difference in communities. It includes advice about
how to work with vulnerable individuals and institutions to
counter radicalisation, support mainstream voices and increase the
capacity of communities to challenge and resist violent extremists.
To support new initiatives, the Home Office is providing an extra
£12.5 million in 2008/9 to fund projects specifically to support
institutions or individuals vulnerable to radicalisation. New
schemes will include:
* Extending police-led multi agency projects to identify and
support vulnerable individuals at risk of being targeted by
violent extremists.
* New work to prevent violent extremism, focused on supporting
young individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system.
* Further work in prisons and the community to tackle
vulnerability to radicalisation amongst offenders.
* Funding further grassroots projects aimed at tackling
radicalisation where it has already occurred.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
"The national security challenges we face demand fresh
approaches.
A key element of our strategy aims to stop people
getting involved in extremist violence.
"Only by working together and building on our shared values
can we prevent terrorism in the first place. We are investing at
local level to build resilient communities, which are equipped to
confront violent extremism and support the most vulnerable individuals.
"The new guidance offers all those working in our local
communities advice and support on how to turn the Prevent strategy
into practical measures and solutions that will make a real difference.
"The Government is investing an additional £12.5m to support
more projects in local communities, prisons, schools and youth
justice system."
Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears said:
"Preventing violent extremism is about supporting local
people to build resilient communities where extremists and their
messages of hate cannot take root.
"Nationally and locally there is a growing alliance against
violent extremism. A majority of individuals and organisations are
working together to prevent radicalisation and extremism in a
small minority of communities. We are putting funding where it is
needed and today's new guidance sets out our clear
expectations around what local authorities and their partners
should achieve.
"Local leadership is vital and it is those people that know
their communities best - community leaders, local authorities,
police and schools - who, with support from government, provide
the key to tackling this issue. Whilst no-one pretends it is easy
we are already seeing some fantastic work including projects
working with some of the most vulnerable young people, work to
strengthen governance in mosques and the capacity of imams and
Muslim women beginning to take a stronger role."
Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls said:
"If we are to succeed in tackling the threat from violent
extremism in the long term, it is vital that we look to support
the next generation of children and young people. That is why the
new guidance to local partners emphasises the importance of
working with schools and with children's and youth services
to support young people to stand up to the tiny minority who are
advocating division, hatred and violence, and justifying criminal
activity through a distorted interpretation of a peaceful religion.
"Extremists of every persuasion tend to paint the world as
black and white, accentuating division and difference, and
exploiting fears based on ignorance or prejudice. Education and
positive activities for young people can be a powerful weapon
against this.
"Giving young people the opportunity to learn about
different cultures and faiths, and - crucially - to gain an
understanding of the values we share, will help to build mutual
respect and tolerance from an early age and create an environment
where extremism cannot flourish."
The Home Secretary also announced the 24 forces that will benefit
from additional police resources announced earlier this year. The
specially trained police officers will work with local community
police teams to build important links with communities and also
work to counter terrorist related activities.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1) Details of the PDP and new guidelines will be available on the
Home Office website.
2) The Government counter terrorist strategy is known as CONTEST
and has four main components:
* pursuing terrorists and
disrupting the immediate threats we face;
* protecting our
infrastructure and our borders;
* preparing for any incident
which may occur; and
* preventing radicalisation in the cause
of violent extremism.
3) In March this year, the Home Secretary announced extra Counter
Terrorism Police officers, who will work with communities to
tackle radicalisation. There are 300 Counter terrorism police
personnel being rolled across the country. Their role is to
investigate all terrorist offences, addressing legitimate
grievances and working with neighbourhood policing teams to engage
with local communities in order to build trust and confidence.
The areas are: Derbyshire; Leicestershire; Nottinghamshire;
Northamptonshire; Bedfordshire; Cambridgshire; Hertfordshire;
Cleveland; Humberside; Northumbria; West Yorkshire; South
Yorkshire; Greater Manchester Police; Lancashire; Merseyside;
Surrey; Sussex; Thames Valley; Hampshire; Avon & Somerset;
Staffordshire; West Midlands; South Wales; Metropolitan Police Service
4) Ministers made the announcement during a visit to
a
community project in Walthamstow, North London,
which
has been working with young people aged 17-24
to
challenge violent extremism through leaderships skills,
raising
awareness of different politics and religions and
encouraging
positive role models.
5) The additional £12.5 is in addition to the £12million
already
announced by the Communities Secretary to support local
communities.