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New fund 'to stop radicalisation' New advice on tackling extremism
(about 3 hours later)
A new £12.5m fund is to be launched by the government in an attempt to tackle radicalisation in the Muslim community. Police and local councils have been issued with new guidance on preventing people turning to violent extremism.
Community groups and councils in England and Wales will be allocated cash to fund projects that "challenge and resist" violent extremists. The 72-page document stresses the need to support "moderate" Muslim voices and encourage positive role models to build up "resilience" to extremist ideology.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the scheme was a "key element" of a four-stage counter-terrorism strategy. Community groups and councils in England and Wales will get cash from a £12.5m fund to help achieve these aims.
But some critics have voiced concerns that the funding plans could alienate young Muslims. Ministers want to highlight efforts to prevent terrorism, as they seek increased powers to detain suspects.
The announcement comes as ministers are seeking new laws allowing police to hold terror suspects without charge for up to 42 days - an extension of the current limit of 28 days. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told Sky News: "In the short term we need to do what's necessary to stop those who are plotting terrorism now but in the long term what we need to do is to prevent people from becoming terrorists in the first place."
'Fresh approach' Ms Smith is facing a battle with MPs to extend the time police can hold terror suspects without charge from 28 days to 42 days.
The Home Office has also unveiled new guidelines on how to work with people who are deemed to be vulnerable to radicalisation, as well as supporting "mainstream voices" who oppose extremism. Mentors
Grassroots projects would also benefit from the funding - especially in areas of England and Wales where extremists have been active. Critics say the move risks alienating Muslims and feeding extremism but the government says the increasing complexity of terror plots means it may soon be necessary to hold suspects for longer than currently allowed.
This would see police leading projects to identify those who are thought to be at risk of being targeted by extremists. We are clear that it is not the role of government to seek to change any religion Home Office
It really is like trying to sell Christmas to a Turkey Dr M G Khan, University of Birmingham The government says it wants to give Muslims the confidence to challenge extremist voices in their community - and divert vulnerable young people at risk of being radicalised.
Explaining the strategy, Ms Smith said: "Where someone is beginning to think about becoming a violent extremist, it is probably better if you get the mentor alongside them, discourage them from that, argue with them, prevent them from going that extra step to actually becoming an extremist."
Police will lead projects to identify those who are thought to be at risk of being targeted by extremists and more support will be given to "mainstream voices" who oppose extremism.
The government will also create "safe spaces for debate about grievances" where young people can debate "extremism issues".
The Prison Service is also being asked to carry out further work to tackle radicalisation among inmates.The Prison Service is also being asked to carry out further work to tackle radicalisation among inmates.
Ms Smith said a "fresh approach" was needed to deal with the national security threat to the UK. 'Building resilience'
"A key element of our strategy aims to stop people getting involved in extremist violence," she said. In its introduction to the new guidelines, the Home Office said: "We are clear that it is not the role of government to seek to change any religion.
"However, where theology is being distorted to justify violent extremist rhetoric or activity and threaten both Muslims and non-Muslims, government should reinforce faith understanding and thereby build resilience.
"We will facilitate debate to expose the paucity of the extremist message.
"We are clear, however, that these initiatives must be community-based and community-led."
The new initiative to prevent radicalisation is one of the four prongs of the government's counter-terrorism strategy, known as Contest, which includes pursuing offenders and disrupting threats.The new initiative to prevent radicalisation is one of the four prongs of the government's counter-terrorism strategy, known as Contest, which includes pursuing offenders and disrupting threats.
'Loss of integrity'
The strategy was welcomed by West Midlands Police - seen as one of the key areas where extremists are active.The strategy was welcomed by West Midlands Police - seen as one of the key areas where extremists are active.
Ch Supt Paul Scarrot told the BBC: "It's about dealing with the problem at it's origin. 'Timing significant'
Chief Superintendent Paul Scarrot told the BBC: "It's about dealing with the problem at its origin.
"Instead of picking up the pieces, let's do something about it and work with all communities, whoever they are, to prevent extremism.""Instead of picking up the pieces, let's do something about it and work with all communities, whoever they are, to prevent extremism."
But others have expressed concerns that the proposals would be ineffective and risk alienating young Muslims.But others have expressed concerns that the proposals would be ineffective and risk alienating young Muslims.
Dr M G Khan, of the University of Birmingham, who has campaigned against negative portrayals of Muslims, said: "It really is like trying to sell Christmas to a Turkey. Muhammad Khan, of Birmingham University, who has campaigned against negative portrayals of Muslims, said: "It really is like trying to sell Christmas to a Turkey.
"I know organisations who are reluctant to accept funding on the basis of preventing violent extremism, simply because they feel they would lose integrity - it would compromise access to young people.""I know organisations who are reluctant to accept funding on the basis of preventing violent extremism, simply because they feel they would lose integrity - it would compromise access to young people."
BBC home editor Mark Easton said many mosques were signing up to the strategy and that the timing of the announcement was significant.BBC home editor Mark Easton said many mosques were signing up to the strategy and that the timing of the announcement was significant.
He said: "The government wants to reassure the country - and its own backbenchers - that when it comes to fighting extremism, it's about carrot as well as stick."He said: "The government wants to reassure the country - and its own backbenchers - that when it comes to fighting extremism, it's about carrot as well as stick."