The positive work being carried out in Bradford to prevent violent extremism should be replicated in other towns and cities across the UK, according to a Government Minister today.

David Hanson, the Policing and Security Minister, spoke of his admiration for the work being done to improve community cohesion in Bradford during a visit to the city.

Mr Hanson visited Girlington Community Centre where he took part in a round-table discussion with local police, councillors and the older people’s association about improving confidence in policing and preventing violent extremism.

He then moved on to the Toller Lane mosque to speak to Muslim leaders Mr Hanson spoke of the need to build “strong communities” to ensure the message of Islam was not distorted and to prevent threats from violent extremism.

Earlier this week, the communities and local government committee said the Government’s Prevent programme was backfiring and was alienating some Muslims.

But Mr Hanson defended the strategy, saying: “I have talked today to people from Bradford Council, the police, the elderly people’s association and I think they have got a very strong view that the Prevent agenda and community policing are ‘as one’ and we are talking about trying to prevent crime – be it serious crime or be it localised crime.

“I think if people reflect on what the communities report said this week, I’ve not seen that here today in my visit to Bradford.

“I’ve seen people here who are committed to building strong communities and making a difference to preventing violent extremism.”

The ministerial visit was welcomed by Arfan Naseer, 29, of Girlington, a director for the Consequence group which provides outreach workers to steer potential young offenders away from crime. He said: “We’ve done a lot of good work to educate young people that crime doesn’t pay and to tackle extremism. We have ex-offenders working with young people to say ‘I thought I was untouchable and I got sent to prison. Do you want to end up like me?’ Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson, chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Authority, said: “It is important that the Authority plays an active role in seeking public opinion on policing.”