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Extremism strategy 'needs change' Extremism strategy 'needs change'
(40 minutes later)
The government's flagship strategy to stop young people becoming terrorists has suffered from a "lack of clarity", the communities secretary has said.The government's flagship strategy to stop young people becoming terrorists has suffered from a "lack of clarity", the communities secretary has said.
John Denham used a speech to defend the Prevent strategy - but also conceded that some parts of it must change. John Denham used a speech to defend the "Prevent" strategy - but also conceded that some parts of it had to change.
The strategy has been dogged by controversy over its aims and claims by some Muslims they are being spied on. The Prevent strategy has been dogged by controversy over its aims and claims by some Muslims they are being spied on.
The programme to prevent violent extremism by working with communities emerged after the 2005 London bombings.The programme to prevent violent extremism by working with communities emerged after the 2005 London bombings.
Prevent is one of the major planks of the government's counter-terrorism strategy, known as Contest, designed to combat al-Qaeda-inspired violence and radicalisation.Prevent is one of the major planks of the government's counter-terrorism strategy, known as Contest, designed to combat al-Qaeda-inspired violence and radicalisation.
About £20m is being spent annually on Prevent programmes, many of them administered by local authorities.
Prevent is a crime prevention programme and at its root is to try and make sure none of our young people ruin their lives John DenhamPrevent is a crime prevention programme and at its root is to try and make sure none of our young people ruin their lives John Denham
Some more sensitive projects come under direct Whitehall control. About £20m is being spent annually on Prevent programmes, many of them administered by local authorities. Some more sensitive projects come under direct Whitehall control.
Muslim community organisations have been split over Prevent, with some willing to work with government - but others denying that there is even a problem that needs addressing.Muslim community organisations have been split over Prevent, with some willing to work with government - but others denying that there is even a problem that needs addressing.
Meanwhile, competition between organisations to prove to government that they are best placed to prevent extremism has raised questions about the credibility and independence of some of those bidding for funding.Meanwhile, competition between organisations to prove to government that they are best placed to prevent extremism has raised questions about the credibility and independence of some of those bidding for funding.
At least one council initially refused to touch the money because it believed that the programme's title was enough to damage local race relations.At least one council initially refused to touch the money because it believed that the programme's title was enough to damage local race relations.
Mr Denham told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one example of the lack of clarity was the "completely wrong" perception the programme was about demonising the Muslim community. 'Limited effectiveness'
"Prevent is a crime prevention programme and at its root is to try and make sure none of our young people ruin their lives and other peoples' lives by being drawn into violent extremism," he said. In a speech in Birmingham, Mr Denham acknowledged that Prevent had faced criticisms, including that it was both too hard and too soft. Some of the criticisms and controversies had "unnecessary limited its effectiveness".
"It works, not because you demonise a community, but because the vast majority of Muslims are totally opposed to that type of violence. 'CONTEST' COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY Pursue: Stop terrorist attacksPrevent: Sop people from becoming terrorists or supporting violent extremismProtect: Strengthen UK's protection against terror attacksPrepare: Improve resilience and reduce impact of attacks which cannot be stopped class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/7961299.stm">Countering a changing terror threat
"You work with them, you bring that great majority view to bear on those who would try to promote violent extremism." "Where we have heard constructive criticism, we have been willing to listen and change in order to ensure that prevent is more effective. If prevent is enveloped in suspicion or misunderstanding, it simply won't work."
Racism threat "There are fears and confusions about Prevent and what it is really trying to achieve. Prevent cannot work as a Government programme imposed on Muslim communities. They need to feel ownership of the community based parts of prevent and work as full partners in it.
He also insisted there was no programme "about collecting ideas about people's political attitudes or beliefs" and denied "spying" was part of the strategy. "Government will not row back or dilute our commitment to Prevent but is looking at how best to strengthen that work to make it most effective."
"No more than if you knew that someone in your street... was carrying a gun, you would report that to the police," he said. One lobby group recently published what it called a comprehensive study of how Prevent had been used to demonise and spy on Muslims and attempt to change their religious views.
Mr Denham's department issued new guidance in August telling councils to broaden their strategy to include a rise in right-wing racism. But Mr Denham flatly denied the accusation, saying that the strategy was solely focused on preventing crime and protecting communities.
In a speech to councils on Tuesday, Mr Denham said that phrases or titles such as Preventing Violent Extremism could be dropped if local officials thought they would be a barrier to getting things done. "[There is a fear that] by joining a Prevent activity, the organisers or the participants are opening themselves up to covert surveillance, intelligence gathering and the collection of files on the Muslim communities," he said.
Mr Denham told the audience that Prevent schemes would only work if Muslim groups knew that their concerns were being listened to - and that they were also "full partners" in tackling violent ideology. "I want to be very clear. We must have complete openness and transparency.
"There should not be any information gathering or information sharing about the community aspects of Prevent work which cannot be openly acknowledged with all members of the partnership and the wider community."
Mr Denham's department issued new guidance in August telling councils to broaden their strategy to include a rise in right-wing racism and, where needed, drop terms of labels that could alienate Muslim communities who they need to work with.
But shadow communities secretary Caroline Spelman said; "The government's U-turn on its flagship Prevent strategy only proves what the Conservatives have been saying all along.
"We warned DCLG that Prevent strategy funding has unintended consequences. A future Conservative government would shift the emphasis of funding to groups which bring the community together, rather than single group funding which is divisive."