UK anti-terror scheme records major surge in far-right activity
The British government has received a significantly high number of complaints regarding the surge in far-right activity in the country as it seeks as part of a program called Prevent to stop people being attracted and recruited by terrorist groups.
Government officials said Thursday that a total of 7,318 people had been referred to the Prevent program over concerns related to extreme right-wing activity over the past twelve months.
They said the figure of direct far-right referrals, a total of 1,312 cases, showed a major increase of 36 percent compared to the previous period in which some 968 cases had been recorded.
The BBC said in a report that there were questions regarding the British government’s determination to tackle far-right extremism as many of those referred to Prevent, more than 40 percent, left the anti-terrorism process without requiring further action.
The findings come amid a surge in far-right sentiments among the UK public. There have been numerous reports of attacks by racist and nationalist groups on members of ethnic minorities, especially the Muslims. In a most recent case in November, which sparked huge outrage, a Syrian refugee boy was racially abused in his school in Huddersfield, in northern England. The assault on Jamal was defended and justified by Tommy Robinson, the top Islamopphobe figure in Britain, with the far-right activist saying the Muslim boy was the victim of his own conduct in the school against the white and non-Muslims.
Britain has also been a major hotbed for terrorism recruitment over the past several years. British nationals have joined terrorist groups like Daesh, once dominant in countries like Iraq and Syria, on a considerable scale and since a militancy got out of control in the Middle East. Many fear those nationals could pose serious security threats to Britain once they return home.
Six months of rallies in London: Thousands call for Gaza ceasefire
Pro-Palestine activists paint UK Labour Party office red
20% of teachers in England physically assaulted by students in 2023: Study
Report: Israeli warplanes bomb positions in southwestern Syria, Iraq
US forces smuggle stolen Syrian oil into bases in Iraq: Report
VIDEO | Press TV's news headline
Situation normal after air defenses fire at 'suspicious objects' in Iran
‘Iran retaliation against Israel ensured no aggression would go unanswered’
US vetoes Palestinian request for full UN membership
Iran sufficed to strike only part of Israel’s military positions: FM to UN chief
IRGC: Israel’s Dimona nuclear reactor not among Op. True Promise’s targets
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
