Fears for young drawn to hate groups

POLITICIANS HAVE been warned of the growing threat of extremism beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, as research published today has revealed smaller pockets of far-right activists are on the increase.

Young extremists have been able to thrive during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the report by the Hope Not Hate organisation, while the research suggests the past year has accelerated the demise of traditional far-right groups.

The study has also stated that the coronavirus lockdowns have created the perfect breeding ground for extremist groups looking to recruit impressionable young people who are spending more time online, while the farright scene shifts towards “post-organisational” operations.

Senior officials from the Hope Not Hate group also revealed that they had discovered a new extremist group called the National Partisan Movement, formed by up to 70 teenagers from across 13 countries, including England.

Researchers have now said that the economic fall-out could be exploited by some activists looking to blame marginalised communities, and warned politicians of the dangers ahead.

The State of Hate report said:

“The health impact of Covid-19 will soon be eclipsed by the economic fallout from the pandemic, both as the furlough scheme ends here in the UK and as unemployment increases.

“In the not-too-distant future, the Government will be reducing public spending and increasing taxes in order to reduce the huge deficit.

“As history has so often proved, economic hardship and pessimism can lead to a climate of fear and political hate.”

While the long-term economic impacts of Brexit also remain to be felt, Hope Not Hate said that it would increase the likelihood of Scotland voting for independence from the United Kingdom, which, it said, could lead to “an upsurge in a more bitter English nationalism”.

The report points to worldwide events last year which led to an increase in hate crime reports, tension and violence, including a backlash to the Black Lives Matter protests and the Covid-19 pandemic being used against people of perceived Chinese ethnicity.

It also draws attention to the fact that, while ‘traditional’ farright groups such as the British National Party appear to be on the decline, a growing number of extremist movements were appearing online through social media and encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram.

Some 12 people were convicted last year in the country’s courts over offences relating to terrorism or proscribed groups – six of whom were teenagers.

Nick Lowles, the chief executive officer of Hope Not Hate, said: “The Government has to support towns and cities in being resilient in the face of hate, helping places to cultivate the conditions that enable bonds across and between communities to grow and strengthen in adverse conditions.”