PLANS are being discussed to prevent terrorism and violent extremism.
Calderdale councillors last night discussed ways to encourage community cohesion. They say the aim is to promote respect and tolerance between people from different backgrounds and stop extremist views taking root.
Clr Helen Rivron, chairman of the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Panel, said: “Following the recent tragic events in Norway, and the recent EDL demonstration in Halifax, we have witnessed some recent and dramatic events. Events that are, as we speak, changing the nature of the threats we face and it seems not only right but necessary that we discuss these important issues.”
Members of faith groups, community workers and people working with young people, discussed the key challenges facing Calderdale.
The council was asked to come up with ways to address all forms of terrorism.
Leeds and Bradford are seen as priority areas for the government’s Prevent scheme, which has a national budget of £46million – £36million from the Home Office and £10million from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
But the report adds: “Though Calderdale is not identified as a priority, the Counter Terrorism Local Profile suggests that there are no grounds for complacency”.
