Early intervention key to prevention

More details are beginning to surface about the terrorists who caused such devastation in London on Saturday. Meanwhile, there are also more questions surrounding how much the security services knew about the men prior to their deadly intervention.

It is emerging as a sad fact that there are simply too many people on terrorist watch lists for the authorities to properly monitor. Furthermore, there seems to be little clarity as to which cases should be prioritised.

Against such a backdrop, yesterday’s pronouncement by a leading Dundee Muslim cleric was welcome indeed.

Imam Hamza from the Dundee Central Mosque called for hate preachers to leave the UK, insisting their actions “make a mockery of Islam”.

He is right to describe Saturday night’s dreadful attack as a hate crime rather than one of religion or race.

Nevertheless, questions remain around the radicalisation process – and how it can best be tackled.

Everybody has a responsibility to report any worries they have and, in many cases, members of the Muslim community themselves will be best placed to notice any concerning behaviour.

The authorities have rightly been praised for their quick reaction to recent terror incidents, but how much easier their jobs could be if those intent on such barbaric acts were stopped long before they act upon their twisted beliefs.