Investment to fight extremism in London

The Mayor of London has announced £875,000 of funding to tackle hate crime, intolerance and extremism.

As part of the £16m Shared Endeavour Fund, the investment will go to more than 20 grassroots projects to fight hate crime, intolerance and extremism in all its forms.

Around 50,000 Londoners will be supported to recognise and critically assess intolerant, hateful and extremist messages and empower them to safely challenge these narratives.

190,000 Londoners have already benefitted since the scheme was set up in 2020.

The West Ham United Foundation will deliver anti-racism training alongside critical thinking workshops in schools.

The Anne Frank Trust UK will deliver sessions focussing on the impact of antisemitism and Islamophobia, helping young people understand how this prejudice can manifest and the harm it can cause.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Hate crime, extremism and intolerance has no place in London. That’s why I’m continuing to fund grassroot community groups which will benefit Londoners - giving them the skills they need to fight extremism and stand up to hate.  

“We are living in increasingly divisive and uncertain times and I know the worry and concern that this is having in our communities. That’s why I’m committed to working in close partnership with communities and the police to ensure everyone in the capital feels, and is, safe and welcome. I will always champion London’s diversity as our greatest strength and work to shape a city where people understand and respect one another, building a better and safer London for everyone.”  

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Our concerns over children and young adults being drawn into extremism and terrorism continue to grow. We’re seeing record number of children in our casework and much of this is driven by what they are encountering online, with extremist and terrorist groups exploiting new and emerging technologies and channels to target and recruit those vulnerable to radicalisation.

“That is why it is so important that we also come up with new and innovative ways to counter these threats. It’s a whole societal problem, and so the partnerships between policing, local authorities, MOPAC, education establishments and the charity sector are critical to the shared mission of keeping children and young people safe in this modern world and keeping the wider public safe from terrorism.”