Sir Norman Bettison, the senior police officer responsible for developing a national strategy aimed at preventing Islamic radicalisation, has been describing the work being undertaken to prevent schoolchildren being "groomed" for terrorism.
Five full time community officers have been working amongst 225,000 Muslims in West Yorkshire, where the 7/7 bombers were based, to identify those who may be showing an unhealthy interest in extremist material over the internet or in bookshops.
They have subsequently identified at least 10 youngsters, normally "children who have just entered senior school" and referred them to an "antiradicalisation" programme. Bettison said the children are being radicalised by individual extremists rather than mosques, "with the bright kids who are the ones that might be most vulnerable".
The officers consult with a variety of schools, groups and social services in a bid to identify those who may be showing unhealthy interest in extremist material over the internet or in bookshops. The parents are then approached and given the chance to enrol their child in an antiradicalisation programme, which consist of parental dialogue, sports clubs, classes in citizenship and confidence-building. Police future courses could include Holocaust education and trips to Auschwitz.
The scheme originated in the Netherlands, but has had pilot runs in Lambeth, south London, and Lancashire. The Home Office are contemplating expansion of the scheme later in the year.
Leave a comment