A ‘broad and joined-up approach’ is needed to combat terrorism, according to the Local Government Association.
Responding to the independent review of the Government’s Prevent programme, the LGA says councils play an important role in preventing radicalisation and tackling extremism.
But it warns that cutting funding for councils’ counter-extremism work, financial pressures and uncertainties about national policy have had a ‘significant impact on what they can achieve’.
The review of Prevent by William Shawcross made 34 recommendations, all accepted by the Government.
It concluded that the programme was not doing enough to counter non-violent Islamist extremism and ‘has a double standard when dealing with the extreme right wing and Islamism’.
Nesil Caliskan, chair of the LGA’s safer and stronger communities board, said: ‘We have long argued that stopping terrorism requires a broad and joined-up approach.
‘Investing in a long-term approach, which includes a multi-agency support offer for those at risk, is vital in addressing some of the wider issues that may contribute to individuals becoming radicalised and create tensions in our communities.
‘We are pleased government is committed to staying vigilant against all threats, but we cannot afford to take our eye off the ball in countering broader extremism issues, online conspiracy theorists and harmful influencers, which currently pose a direct threat to councillors and council officers, and our wider communities.’
