UK Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged fresh action "to drain the swamp" that is creating British Islamic extremism, as he gave his first report on his taskforce set up after the killing Woolwich murder.
The cabinet-level taskforce met for the first time on Tuesday and resolved to counter not just violent extremist views, but also extremism in all its forms, reports the Guardian.
The taskforce will focus on whether rules for charities are too lax and allow extremists to prosper; fresh action to disrupt groups that incite hatred or violence, including extremists on university campuses and in prisons; more support for madrasas to prevent radicalization; and discussions with internet service providers on a new code of conduct requiring companies to be more proactive in taking down extremist websites and messages.
Many of the proposals have been examined by this government and the previous Labour administration, but there have been suggestions that the revamped Prevent strategy may have become institutionalised and ineffective.
Cameron said it is not simply enough to target and go after violent extremists after they've become violent. He said the swamp in which they inhabit has to be drained, which means looking at the process of radicalization.
Cameron said that since 2011, more hate preachers have been excluded from the UK than ever, while 5,700 items of terrorism-related material had been taken down from the internet.
Cameron also pointedly said he hoped he may be able to help the intelligence services track mobile phone exchanges through non-legislative means, in light of the Liberal Democrats' refusal to sanction a communications data bill.
