UK launches rapid overhaul of extremism strategy after riots

New project will look at threats posed by radical ideologies and gaps in the system

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said action against extremism strategy had been 'hollowed out' under the previous government. EPA

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged a “rapid” crackdown on people “pushing harmful and hateful beliefs” and a new approach to fighting extremism, after a wave of far-right riots this month during which mosques were attacked across the country.

On Sunday, the Home Office announced a “rapid sprint” to drive a new practical approach to countering extremism.

The project is aimed at providing analysis and recommendations on how to “tackle the threat posed by extremist ideologies”, the Home Office said.

It will inform a new government counter-extremism strategy to respond to changing patterns across Britain.

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

Riots broke out across England and Northern Ireland after the stabbing of three girls in Southport. As of Thursday, 460 people had appeared in magistrates’ courts to face charges related to the disorder.

At least 72 people under 18 are believed to have been charged with involvement in the violence.

The unrest was instigated by social media channels that falsely claimed that a Muslim asylum seeker was behind the girls' deaths.

Several people have been charged with publishing material that contributed to rioting, such as posts intended to incite racial hatred or grossly offensive messages sent directly to other social media users.

“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,” Ms Cooper said.

“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 criticised the previous government for having had no counter-extremism strategy since 2015, and said the lack of a comprehensive approach or practical plans had put communities at risk.

The new strategy aims to deliver on the government’s manifesto pledge to prevent people from being drawn towards hateful ideologies.

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

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