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Hundreds of young people have received anti-radicalisation support Hundreds of young people have received anti-radicalisation support
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More than 500 young people thought to be at risk of becoming involved with violent extremists or terrorists have been given support over the past five years under a government counter-terrorism programme.More than 500 young people thought to be at risk of becoming involved with violent extremists or terrorists have been given support over the past five years under a government counter-terrorism programme.
They are part of a wider group of 2,500 individuals who have been referred by the police and others to the £3m-a-year anti-radicalisation programme known as Channel, which was set up in April 2007 as part of the government's wider "Prevent" strategy.They are part of a wider group of 2,500 individuals who have been referred by the police and others to the £3m-a-year anti-radicalisation programme known as Channel, which was set up in April 2007 as part of the government's wider "Prevent" strategy.
The flagship intervention programme is targeted mainly at 15-24-year-olds at risk of being drawn into Islamist extremism but about 10% of cases have involved far right extremists. The flagship intervention programme is targeted mainly at 15- to 24-year-olds at risk of being drawn into Islamist extremism but about 10% of cases have involved far-right extremists.
The details of the multiagency programme, which involves frontline staff in the police, prisons, schools, social services and health, are disclosed in the Home Office's first annual review the UK's overarching strategy for countering terrorism - known as "Contest". The details of the multiagency programme, which involves frontline staff in the police, prisons, schools, social services and health, are disclosed in the Home Office's first annual review of the UK's overarching strategy for countering terrorism – known as "Contest".
The home secretary, Theresa May, defended the strategy last month after criticism that it had failed to intervene in the cases of Irfan Naseer, Irfan Khalid and Ashik Ali, the three Birmingham would-be suicide bombers convicted last month of trying to detonate at least eight explosions in Britain. She said that the programme could not be judged on whether every single individual who thinks that one of their friends or relatives may be involved in terrorism is willing to go to the police. The home secretary, Theresa May, defended the strategy last month after criticism that it had failed to intervene in the cases of Irfan Naseer, Irfan Khalid and Ashik Ali, the three Birmingham would-be suicide bombers convicted last month of trying to detonate at least eight explosions in Britain. She said the programme could not be judged on whether every single individual who thought one of their friends or relatives might be involved in terrorism was willing to go to the police.
May told MPs on Tuesday: "The threat from terrorism is changing but remains substantial. The terrorist threats we face are now more diverse than before, dispersed across a wider geographical area, and often in countries without effective governance. Collaboration with international partners remains vital," she said. May told MPs on Tuesday: "The threat from terrorism is changing but remains substantial. The terrorist threats we face are now more diverse than before, dispersed across a wider geographical area, and often in countries without effective governance. Collaboration with international partners remains vital."
"There have been no attacks on the scale of 7/7 in Great Britain over the period covered by the report. But since December 2010, there have been at least five serious terrorist plots in this country and a very significant number of terrorism-related arrests and prosecutions.""There have been no attacks on the scale of 7/7 in Great Britain over the period covered by the report. But since December 2010, there have been at least five serious terrorist plots in this country and a very significant number of terrorism-related arrests and prosecutions."
The home secretary has also told MPs that her legislation to track internet and mobile phone use – the data communications bill – has been much more tightly drawn following scathing criticism from a parliamentary scrutiny committee and included "the substance of all its recommendations".The home secretary has also told MPs that her legislation to track internet and mobile phone use – the data communications bill – has been much more tightly drawn following scathing criticism from a parliamentary scrutiny committee and included "the substance of all its recommendations".
The deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, had promised to ensure that the legislation was sent back to the drawing board. The redrawn bill is to be introduced later this year as part of the Queen's speech.The deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, had promised to ensure that the legislation was sent back to the drawing board. The redrawn bill is to be introduced later this year as part of the Queen's speech.
The annual report on the counter-terrorism strategy says that the Channel programme has been now been extended. In the past two years 1,274 people were referred to the programme mainly by the police, of whom 243 received support. Last April a new system of assessing the vulnerability of those who have been referred was introduced to make it possible to accurately evaluate its impact in future. The annual report on the counter-terrorism strategy says the Channel programme has been now been extended. In the past two years 1,274 people were referred to the programme mainly by the police, of whom 243 received support. Last April a new system of assessing the vulnerability of those who have been referred was introduced to make it possible to accurately evaluate its impact in future.
A particular focus of the work takes place in prisons, where officials say there is significant risk of radicalising activity by terrorist offenders or other prisoners.A particular focus of the work takes place in prisons, where officials say there is significant risk of radicalising activity by terrorist offenders or other prisoners.
"Working with the police, the National Offender Management Service has made more widely available programmes that help prisoners disengage from terrorism and extremism. Pilots of new interventions to challenge al-Qaida related-ideologies have shown promise," says the report. "Working with the police, the National Offender Management Service has made more widely available programmes that help prisoners disengage from terrorism and extremism. Pilots of new interventions to challenge al-Qaida-related ideologies have shown promise," says the report.
It cites one example of successful intervention involving a man who had been convicted of burglary and who expressed anti-western views in jail. He was also known to have viewed extremist videos online was referred to the programme. After a Channel-backed intervention he returned to education and re-established contact with his family. It cites one example of successful intervention involving a man who had been convicted of burglary and who expressed anti-western views in jail. He was also known to have viewed extremist videos online and was referred to the programme. After a Channel-backed intervention he returned to education and re-established contact with his family.
The Home Office says it has provided additional funding to the Charity Commission to deal its continuing concerns about the potential abuse of charities by extremist organisations to raise funds and distribute propaganda.The Home Office says it has provided additional funding to the Charity Commission to deal its continuing concerns about the potential abuse of charities by extremist organisations to raise funds and distribute propaganda.
As part of the drive the Department for Education has also implemented rigorous checks on proposed free schools and published new teachers' standards that clearly state that teacher's actions must not undermine "fundamental British values". Schools are being encouraged to engage with local counter-terrorist networks and challenge extremism in the classroom.As part of the drive the Department for Education has also implemented rigorous checks on proposed free schools and published new teachers' standards that clearly state that teacher's actions must not undermine "fundamental British values". Schools are being encouraged to engage with local counter-terrorist networks and challenge extremism in the classroom.
Ministers also want to see more work with the National Union of Students and universities to challenge extremist speakers more effectively on campus and increase awareness of the Channel programme.Ministers also want to see more work with the National Union of Students and universities to challenge extremist speakers more effectively on campus and increase awareness of the Channel programme.