4-point plan to take on the extremists

MRS May yesterday set out a four-point plan to counter the new trend of copycat terror attacks. Executive Political Editor JACK DOYLE outlines the Government’s crackdown.

1 COUNTERING ISLAMIST IDEOLOGY

She said: ‘It will only be defeated when we turn people’s minds away from this violence – and make them understand that our values – pluralistic, British values – are superior to anything offered by the preachers and supporters of hate.’

What it means: Mrs May said that the recent terror attacks are ‘ bound together by the single, evil ideology of Islamist extremism that preaches hatred, sows division and promotes sectarianism’.

A new government agency – a Commission for Countering Extremism – would be tasked with identifying extremists, exposing them and countering their messages and promoting British values of freedom and democracy. The Prevent programme, which is tasked with identifying those who are at risk of radicalisation and stopping them turning to violence, is due for review and could get more cash.

2 ONLINE CRACKDOWN

She said: ‘We cannot allow this ideology the safe space it needs to breed. Yet that is precisely what the internet – and the big companies that provide internet-based services – provide.’

What it means: Web giants such as Google, Facebook and Twitter will be forced to create automatic blocks on extremist material appearing on their sites, so it never appears. They will also have to ban users who post extremist material, pass on any material that could prevent an attack and impose tough rules about what constitutes ‘harmful content’. If they do not comply, they could face swingeing fines. Officials are already working on ways to force WhatsApp to unlock encrypted messages.

3 SEGREGATED COMMUNITIES

She said: ‘There is – to be frank – far too much tolerance of extremism in our country… we need to become far more robust in identifying it and stamping it out – across the public sector and across society.’

What it means: A damning official report last year warned of a lack of integration, including children outside mainstream schools being exposed to ‘divisive practices’.

Mrs May’s warning of the need for ‘difficult and often embarrassing conversations’ means government agencies, teachers, council officials and other public sector workers will be more robust in challenging backward practices, and an end to the passive tolerance of un-British views in the name of multiculturalism.

4 TOUGHER SENTENCES

She said: ‘If we need to increase the length of custodial sentences for terrorism-related offences, even apparently less serious offences, that is what we will do.’

What it means: Convicted terrorists already face lengthy jail terms. But at the lower end of the spectrum, extremists who stop short of advocating violence can get off too lightly. So Mrs May wants longer sentences for downloading terror manuals, preaching hate or being a member of a banned group.

Other powers in the Counter-Extremism Bill, which MPs were debating before the election, will be resurrected, including banning orders for extremist groups, disruption orders against people who incite hatred, and closing mosques which host extremist meetings.

T-Pims – Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures, the replacement for control orders – could also be beefed up.