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Whitehall anti-terrorism experts and the security services are to routinely brief councils on the threats of extremists in their communities. Local authorities will also receive advice from the Foreign Office on events overseas which might have an impact in the UK. With international tensions still high following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, last month, home secretary Jacqui Smith, and communities secretary Hazel Blears, called for a stronger civil response against extremists at local level. They also pledged £13.8m to strengthen public institutions and empower community leaders. Whitehall will also share its research about the demographics, economic status, educational attainment and challenges experienced by various ethnic groups to help increase understanding. But, in return, councils will be expected to step up support to the Security Service, also known as MI5, in its counter-terrorism work by providing information about local sympathisers, and fundraising for extremist and terrorist groups. A joint statement by the CLG and Home Office said: ‘Local leaders will now have a more informed sense of the problem and will, therefore, be better placed to come up with the solutions. We know that communities here maintain strong links with their country of origin.' The home secretary added: ‘Preventing people becoming terrorists in the first place is one of the most important challenges this government faces, and recent events in India underline that point only too well. ‘That's why our long-term strategy is, ultimately, about stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting violent extremism.' Harrow LBC was part of the Pathfinders project which, over the last year, has formed the basis of the Government's drive. Paul Clark, director of children's services, said support for young people was critical to local government's response. ‘It's about engaging youngsters and giving them a rounded education and the survival skills needed for living in the city in the 21st century,' he said.

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WHITEHALL

Security to brief councils about extremist threat

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