LONDON, Jan 17 (APP)-The United Kingdom plans to spend more than half a billion pounds in funding for security in a bid to tackle terrorism and radicalisation. Speaking at a conference on ‘terrorism and radicalisation’ hosted by King’s College to launch their International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence in Central London on Thursday, the British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced plans to launch crackdown on internet promoting violent extremism ideology and terrorism.
“Stopping people becoming or supporting terrorists is the major long-term challenge we face,” she told the conference.
“We are already working closely with the communications industry to take action against paedophiles. I believe we should also take action against those who groom
vulnerable people for the purposes of violent extremism.” Where there is illegal material on the net, I want it removed.”
The Home Secretary said an effective response to terrorism depends on the active commitment of individuals and communities to certain rights and responsibilities,
to shared values which apply irrespective of religion or culture.
She said half a billion pounds in funding for security and counter terrorism will rise to nearly 600 million pounds in the following two years.
Smith disclosed that some two thousand people pose threat to UK and there were many people showing sympathy to extremism. She also spoke about the recent arrest of people found guilty of planning acts of terrorism.
She said the British Government has been supporting leading Muslim scholars and opinion formers here to talk about extremist ideology at road shows across the country.” Some 60,000 people have attended to date, and an associated website gets 50,000 hits each month.,” she added.
Smith further said the Government was also encouraging much more interaction between opinion makers here and in Muslim majority countries to correct misunderstandings about Islam in the UK.
She also stated that the Government will shortly be providing guidance to Higher and Further Education establishments to help increase community cohesion and prevent violent extremism.
“ More than 200 wide-ranging and ambitious projects are being funded. A further 45 million pounds will be given local communities,” she informed the conference.