Council initiates new strategy to protect youths against radicalisation and abuse

CCTV image of thee of the schoolgirls that escaped to Syria Pic: Met Police

CCTV image of three of the schoolgirls that escaped to Syria Pic: Met Police

In the wake of concerns about radicalisation, young people in Tower Hamlets are to get greater protection from all forms of violence and abuse.

The borough has been in the news since four teenage girls from the area were reported to have fled to Syria to join the ISIS since December last year, triggering an international search to rescue them.

None of the girls attended Local Authority controlled schools and ,a spokesperson at the council said: “[We have] been working closely with the Home Office, police and community to deliver its Prevent project. The Home Office has agreed to fund £120,000 for 2015 to continue our work.”

Now in addition the council has now has introduced a new strategy to tackle a larger set of antisocial issues, including alcohol and substance abuse.

It said that the strategy will specifically tackle disruptive activities such as violence against women, child sexual exploitation, challenges associated with extremism and all forms of hate crime, and issues associated with alcohol and substance misuse. It will be delivered through partnership work with key intervention and enforcement agencies, it added.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs said: “Those who inflict violence or hate crime on people who work, live or visit the borough will not be tolerated.”

Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Community Affairs, Councillor Shiria Khatun added: “This new initiative will add some excellent resources to the safeguarding of our young people and help make our communities safer.”

The new intervention will provide intelligence from the police, NHS, housing and other agencies. And employment, health and housing options will be offered to those, including ex-offenders, if they want to change their lifestyle, said the council.

Tower Hamlets already has Family Wellbeing model in place which safeguards and promotes the welfare of children, young people and families, it added.

 

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