THE West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner is working with Danish police and academics on a groundbreaking study into how to tackle violent extremism.
The three-year project, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, is being led by Neda Nobari to compare and analyse the policing and prevention of radicalisation and violent extremism in the UK and Denmark.
Miss Nobari, who has experience of the Prevent strategy, is being helped in her project by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, Jutland Police in Denmark, and Dr Clifford Stott and Professor Edward Newman at the University of Leeds.
She has met the Police Commissioner, who is helping to provide her with access to police regionally and nationally, and representatives from the university.
Mr Burns-Williamson said: “Terrorism is a problem that everyone has a duty to confront and as Police and Crime Commissioner is it vital that I continue to do everything I can to keep people safe.
“Officers on the ground, and in the North East Counter Terrorism Unit, are leading on this but it is also important to think ‘outside the box’ and take the fight to the terrorists.
“By supporting this study and working in partnership, locally and internationally, we can all help to make a real difference.
“Terrorism is an ever-changing evil – we must also adapt what we do as well.
“I was delighted to meet with Neda and to discuss her studies.”
Miss Nobari said: “I am very grateful the Commissioner has supported this important project and excited about the opportunity we have to develop academic research that will contribute to improving the way we police violent extremism.”
Dr Stott and Professor Newman, of the University of Leeds, said: “We are delighted to undertake this groundbreaking research.
"We look forward to working with our partners here and in Denmark to understand how different policing approaches impact upon these very important issues confronting the safety and security of our communities.”
Police commissioner Helle Kyndesen, of East Jutland Police, said: “In the East Jutland Police District we have a long tradition of multi-agency approaches to crime prevention, and building on this tradition we and the City of Aarhus are working closely together on preventing radicalisation and violent extremism.
“We find it is necessary to supplement our security-measures with initiatives keeping people away from violent extremism and re-integrating them into society.”
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