UK orders ‘rapid analytical sprint’ to clamp down on extremism

London, August 18

The UK government has ordered a so-called “rapid analytical sprint” to map and monitor extremism trends as part of a review to clamp down on radicalisation, hateful beliefs and violence against women and girls.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told ‘The Sunday Telegraph’ that she has ordered the review into the government’s counter-extremism strategy amid fears that extremist ideologies online and on the streets of the country have been on the rise.

It comes in the wake of a series of violent clashes involving far-right extremists across Britain following the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, north-west England.

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

“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...,” she said. — PTI