Yvette Cooper pledges crackdown on ‘hateful beliefs’ to counter extremism

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to crack down on people “pushing harmful and hateful beliefs” and to “kickstart” a new approach to fighting extremism.

The Home Office has commissioned a “rapid sprint” to drive a new practical approach to countering extremism.

The project is being carried out to provide analysis and recommendations on how to “tackle the threat posed by extremist ideologies”.

It will inform a new government counter-extremism strategy to respond to growing and changing patterns across the UK.

The government said the scheme will look across the ideological spectrum, and address “gaps in the current system” which leave the country exposed to hateful activity that promotes violence or undermines democracy.

After the riots that broke out across England following the stabbing of three girls in Southport, a total of 460 people had appeared in magistrates’ courts relating to the disorder by the end of Thursday.

At least 72 people under the age of 18 are believed to have been charged.

A number of people have also been handed charges relating to publishing material that contributed to rioting, such as publishing written material to stir up racial hatred or sending a grossly offensive message.

Cooper said: “For too long Governments have failed to address the rise in extremism, both online and on our streets, and we’ve seen the number of young people radicalised online grow.

“Hateful incitement of all kinds fractures and frays the very fabric of our communities and our democracy.

“Action against extremism has been badly hollowed out in recent years, just when it should have been needed most.

“That’s why I have directed the Home Office to conduct a rapid analytical sprint on extremism, to map and monitor extremist trends, to understand the evidence about what works to disrupt and divert people away from extremist views, and to identify any gaps in existing policy which need to be addressed to crack down on those pushing harmful and hateful beliefs and violence.

“That work will underpin a new strategic approach to countering extremism from government, working closely with communities to build consensus and impetus for our plans”.

The Home Secretary had criticised the previous government for having no counter-extremism strategy since 2015, and that the lack of a comprehensive approach or practical plans was leaving communities less safe.

The new strategy aims to deliver on the government’s manifesto commitment of preventing people being drawn towards hateful ideologies.

The Home Office says it will look at the rise of both Islamist and far-right extremism in the UK, as well as wider ideological trends, including extreme misogyny or beliefs that fit into broader categories like fixation on violence.

It will also look at the causes and conduct of radicalisation of young people, including the proliferation of dangerous material online.