Excerpt:
Islamic extremists could receive counselling instead of criminal charges under new Government plans to 'deradicalise' religious fanatics issued today.
The move is part of a £12.5m Home Office plan which give councils guidance about how to prevent extremism spreading.
People who fall under the influence of violent organisations will not automatically face prosecution under the new plan.
Instead it will concentrate on a national 'deradicalisation' programme that will try to persuade extremists to change their views through therapy and counselling from community groups.
The scheme will seek to reverse the process of indoctrination carried out by al Qaida-related extremists, using unnamed 'specialised techniques'.