Government Must Do Much More to Protect Leeds Youths From Extremists (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Government Must Do Much More to Protect Leeds Youths From Extremists

May 11, 2006 12:00 AM

Liberal Democrat Kabeer Hussain (Hyde Park and Woodhouse), the local councillor in whose ward the 7th July terrorists assembled their bombs, has spoken out on GMTV calling for more protection for youngsters in deprived areas such as Hyde Park and Beeston in order to protect them from extremists. An MPs' report out today claims that a lack of resources prevented security services from intercepting the 7 July London bombers, and that the threat of home-grown terrorism was misunderstood.

Cllr Kabeer Hussain (Liberal Democrat, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) said 'Today's report says that the security services simply didn't understand the process of radicalisation of young people in inner city areas. I strongly believe that more emphasis is needed on measures to stop youngsters falling prey to extremists in the first place.'

'We need to engage young people of all backgrounds much more and provide them with real job opportunities and positive role models. That applies to kids from all backgrounds - it's not only Muslims that can become alienated. It will need a lot of investment from the Government, but it is money well spent if it means that we can prevent vulnerable young people being exploited by those of an extremist persuasion'.

The views in this Press Release are those of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and not necessarily those of Leeds City Council, its Officers or of the Liberal Democrat Party.