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See other news stories£12.5m allocated to prevent extremism
3 June 2008
The new funding and information will help local authorities, schools, community groups and police tackle violent extremism.
The funds will be targeted at institutions working to counter terrorism, and at those most vulnerable to radicalisation. Part of the government's 'Prevent' strategy, the funds are designed to prevent the spread of extremism.
New guidelines released with the funding (new window) offer advice on how agencies and organisations can work to prevent the spread of radicalisation, support mainstream voices and help communities resist violent extremists.
Key elements
The new approach will include:
- extending police-led multi-agency projects to identify and support people at risk of being targeted by violent extremists.
- working closely with young people whose criminal backgrounds have left them open to extremist views
- working in prisons to tackle identify and stop the spread of radicalisation there
- getting more involved with grassroots projects designed to help communities dealing with extremist residents
Fresh approach
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said a fresh approach is needed to address the spread of extremism, and this additional funding could help innovative programmes get off the ground.
'A key element of our strategy aims to stop people getting involved in extremist violence, and only by working together and building on our shared values can we prevent terrorism in the first place,' she said.
'This new guidance offers all those working in our local communities advice and support on how to turn the government's Prevent strategy into practical measures and solutions that will make a real difference.'
The strategy
The government's counter-terrorism strategy has four main components:
- Pursue - pursuing terrorists and disrupting immediate threats
- Protect - protecting the core national infrastructure and borders
- Prepare - preparing for a terrorism incident
- Prevent - preventing radicalisation
Read the strategy
You can download and read the Prevent strategy on the Home Office Security website (new window).
Read the Home Secretary's speech on counter-terrorism. (new window)
