Groundbreaking counter terrorism campaign

[blackbear]

Groundbreaking counter terrorism campaign

Today I witnessed on my local TV news a class of muslim students getting the propaganda treatment......

was it don't bring pop on a plane....nooo

A GROUNDBREAKING scheme to tackle terrorism is being rolled out across East Lancashire school, colleges and community groups.

Lancashire Constabulary's counter terrorism exercise ACT (All Communities Together) Now was piloted last year.

The scheme gives participants the chance to make critical decisions in a fictitious terrorist scenario, as if they are police officers.

The underlying aim is to encourage communities to talk and debate about extremism in society.

The pilot, the first of its kind in the country, was successful and is now being rolled out across the county.

Sergeant Ken Kirwan from Lancashire Constabulary's Special Branch said: "We've had unexpectedly high levels of interest in the scheme from schools and colleges in East Lancashire since it was launched in November.

"When we first began the project, we envisioned it would be for older people in community groups.

"But we're delighted to be able to engage with young people, as it is with young people and other members of the community, such as women's groups, that the police have not been as successful in terms of getting feedback on issues."

A series of counter terrorism workshops are to take place in coming weeks, the first of which is at Pendle Vale College in Nelson tomorrow.

There are more planned at Burnley College, which took part in the trial, and Blackburn College, as well as sessions held at Jan's Conference Centre in Blackburn, for various community groups.

The constabulary has appointed independent 'community facilitators' to deliver the workshops, who invite young people to share their views on terrorism and use peer group-led solutions to address issues raised.

Sgt Kirwan said: "We wanted somebody from outside of the force to run the workshops, to encourage local coalition with schools, colleges and communities themselves to challenge and respond to violent extremism.

"One of the basic principles of policing is that officers should understand the communities they are policing and these workshops provide a forum for them to have a voice.

"Terrorism issues are complex and include nationality, community and religious issues, all of which are interwoven.

"Terrorism is a high level crime like drugs or violence, but it does not get discussed as much.

"We need to get people talking about it - even if arguments get heated, it's more healthy than people bottling things up."

If you are interested in becoming a community facilitator or to find out more call 01772 413365 or email actnow@lancashire.pnn.police.uk

comments:

Frank.!Great,it just shows what the creeping menace has planted in East Lancs.i dont think they will be concentrating on christian schools....

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