Mayor has new plans for countering extremism in London

The Mayor of London has unveiled a new work programme designed to improve efforts to tackle violent extremism in the capital. The programme will aim to empower Londoners to speak out against extremism to help keep London safe. It will begin at City Hall next year and run throughout 2018. Sadiq Khan is determined to improve work that safeguards the vulnerable and stops the people who are spreading promoting terror. The new work on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) will involve an in-depth consultation with experts, local authorities, stakeholders, women’s groups and all of the capital’s communities to identify a London-specific toolkit of operational improvements that can be implemented as soon as possible to help counter hate crime and violent extremism. The CVE has three core objectives: working to strengthen London’s minority and marginalised communities, to safeguard the vulnerable and to stop the spread of extremist ideologies. It will work with specialist community engagement experts to ensure a full assessment of existing counter extremism programmes and the work of the government’s Prevent agenda in the capital. The programme follows on from the Mayor’s work to improve London’s preparedness to respond to terrorism. It will be supported with a £400,000 investment from the Mayor. Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “London is one of the most diverse and open cities in the world. But, as the experts have warned, we can’t escape the fact that the capital faces a growing threat from violent extremism. This year the UK has seen an unprecedented shift in the threat of terrorism and in London we have suffered attacks at Westminster, London Bridge, Finsbury Park and Parsons Green, and many more have been thwarted. “I am determined to do everything in my power to improve the work that safeguards the vulnerable and roots out and stops the people who are spreading vile ideologies and promoting terror with such violent and tragic consequences. “This means engaging with Londoners to see what more we can all do to strengthen, integrate and empower communities to speak out and challenge hate crime and extremist views. It means protecting vulnerable people who are at risk of extremism and sharing best practice. And it means a more strategic and tailored approach that can make a real difference in preventing extremism across the capital.” Mark Rowley, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “Whilst it is less visible than this year's tragic events, I see evidence of determined efforts to radicalise the vulnerable in our communities. The Mayor's determination to bring extra weight to London's efforts to prevent the spread of violent extremist ideologies is very welcome.”