Moves to halt extremists from targeting the young

Police have launched a pilot scheme in London to divert young people at risk of being recruited by Islamic extremism.

The initiative, codenamed the Channel Programme, is part of a nationwide effort, costing £1million a year, to stop recruitment by terrorist groups.

Police say the scheme is aimed at catching young people vulnerable to extremist views who might go on to commit violent crime. The pilot project in Lambeth has also dealt with those on the edge of London's violent gang culture. Another pilot is being run in Preston. Others are to be launched in Waltham Forest and West Yorkshire.

Community groups and religious leaders have also been recruited to sit on local panels to consider individual cases and how they can be diverted away from violence.

Police say the scheme has the backing of Islamic groups and mosques.