Call for evidence on extremism in England and Wales

The independent Commission for Countering Extremism has called on the public to share their views, experience and evidence on extremism and its impact.

For a first-of-a-kind study, Sara Khan, Lead Commissioner for Countering Extremism, has launched a 10-week Call for Evidence, inviting firsthand accounts of the harms extremists inflict on individuals, communities and our society. The evidence will feed into a wide-ranging study of extremism to be published in spring 2019.

The Commission is asking crucial questions as part of the online consultation, including how the government can strengthen its response to extremism, what the scale of the problem is and how social media plays a role in spreading extremist ideas and activities, with responses feeding into a wide-ranging study of extremism to be published in spring 2019.

Sara Khan said: “Extremism is thriving in some parts of our country, but we do not know the true scale of the problem and the full impact it is having on our society – what we do know is very likely to be just the tip of the iceberg. Extremism is affecting not just individuals but also our communities and the very fabric our society. It is weakening trust in the very institutions we cherish, is undermining our democratic values and is inciting violence, hatred and hostility.

“Despite the threat of growing extremism, we still lack a full picture of it in our country; and how best to counter it. Extremism is a complex and multi-faceted issue. It is a whole society problem and requires a whole society response. It is imperative that we develop a pro-active and proportionate response. The first step however is to improve our understanding of extremism and to give everyone the confidence to challenge it. That’s why my Commission is calling on NGOs, academics, all those who work in counter-extremism and everyone concerned about this growing threat to take part in our Call for Evidence.”

The Commission has recently visited 13 towns and cities across England and Wales, beginning a review of academic literature on extremism and meeting more than 400 counter extremism experts and activists.The Commission was first announced by Prime Minister Theresa May after the terror attacks of 2017.