UK to take strong steps against youths getting radicalised
19 Oct 2015
Amid the growing pull of extremist outfits like the Islamic State, the United Kingdom today outlined strong steps to prevent its youth from being radicalised.
Prominent among these is that British parents worried that their 16 and 17-year-old children might travel to Syria or Iraq under the influence of militants will be able to apply to have their passports removed.
The measure is aimed at disrupting a steady stream of young Britons lured by the Islamic State's radical ideology to join the militant group fighting in the Middle East.
Cameron has said that defeating militant Islamists is the "struggle of our generation".
The government said that over the last year there had been a number of cases of young Britons travelling to join Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
According to the latest police figures, of 338 counter-terrorism-related arrests, 157 were linked to Syria and 56 were of people aged under 20, it said.
Earlier today, Home Secretary Theresa May vowed to "systematically confront and challenge extremist ideology" as she detailed new curbs on those who "spread hate".
Radical preachers will be banned from posting material online and anyone with convictions for extremist activity will be barred from working with children.
Deradicalisation classes will be made mandatory for others deemed a threat.
But Muslim leaders warned the strategy "continues down a flawed path" and risks "alienating" Muslims in the UK.
