Islamic extremism is a social problem as well as a risk to security that will only be beaten with the help of far more people from Muslim communities, David Cameron and Theresa May have said as they unveiled their new strategy to deal with radicalisation.
The prime minister set out his thinking in a post on Facebook, as he announced plans to ban suspected extremists from working with children.
He will also extend powers that allow parents to request the cancellation of passports for their children if they are suspected of wanting to travel to fight for Islamic State (Isis), increasing the age limit from under-16s to under-18s.
Speaking in a number of broadcast interviews, the home secretary admitted only a small number of parents had used the powers so far but insisted it would be a useful tool.
“If you talk to, as I have, parents of young people who have been on the path to radicalisation, or perhaps parents, as I have heard from, who have children who have gone out to Syria, some of whom have died out there fighting, then they are saying that they want to see more action taken,” May told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“I’m not pretending that any of this is easy. Of course this is difficult, but government has a choice here. We can either say ‘well, this is difficult so let’s not do anything’ or we can say ‘well, actually it is difficult, but this is so important that we need to take action’.”
She said Britain was facing an unprecedented problem of extremism and that this was a social problem distinct from terrorism.
The new powers, revealed in Cameron’s counter-extremism strategy, build on those he set out in July to force public sector organisations to boycott groups or individuals listed as extremist, introduce “extremism disruption orders” on those seeking to radicalise young people online, close mosques where extremist meetings have taken place and strengthen the powers available to the media regulator to sanction channels that broadcast extremist content.
The prime minister also announced in his Conservative party conference speech earlier this month that madrasas and other religious bodies that teach children intensively would face inspection.
Writing on Facebook, Cameron said the government “needs to support Muslims who are confronting the extremist narrative and providing a positive alternative”.
He promised to “offer all the protection, funding, practical help and support we possibly can”, including £5m this year to community groups to reach more young people.
However, he appealed for “more, far more, people to come forward” from Muslim communities to help tackle radicalisation and repeated his appeal to the “silent majority” to help put forward liberal, tolerant and inclusive Islam.
The counter-extremism strategy is being published as the government drafts two new pieces of legislation: an investigatory powers bill, introducing more surveillance powers, and a counter-terrorism bill.
Andy Burnham, the shadow home secretary, has said Labour would support legislation that is “reasonable and proportionate” but stressed the party had a duty to make sure the government got the balance right.
He warned Cameron to proceed with the utmost caution and make sure his laws do not fuel “resentment, division and a sense of victimisation”, especially among Britain’s Muslim population.