Police ask nursery staff to monitor children for signs of Islamic radicalisation
Categories: Primary school, Latest news
Counter terrorism police have turned their attention to pre-school tots in their attempts to stamp out fundamentalism.
A leaked e-mail sent by a terrorism officer from the West Midlands to community groups suggests that the police see very young children as posing a real potential threat.
The unnamed officer writes, "I do hope that you will tell me about persons, of whatever age, you think may have been radicalised or be vulnerable to radicalisation ... Evidence suggests that radicalisation can take place from the age of 4."
The policy was derided last night by opposition parties with Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, branding it an "absurd waste of police time".
Police spokesmen also seem to be trying to distance themselves from the leaked memo, with Sir Norman Bettison from the Association of Chief Police Officers describing it as a "clumsy" attempt to explain policy.
He added, "There is absolutely no example, nationally, of the police engaging with nursery-age kids specifically on this issue. That is the age for learning about 'Stranger Danger' and 'The Tufty Club'."
Arun Kundnani, of the Institute of Race Relations spoke to the officer who wrote the email. "He did seem to think it was standard. He said it wasn't just him or his unit that was doing it."
"He said the indicators were they [children] might draw pictures of bombs and say things like 'all Christians are bad' or that they believe in an Islamic state."
The idea of monitoring very young children for warning signs of fundamentalism will seem Orwellian, intrusive or even pointless to many parents who are well aware of the bizarre things a four-year-old is capable of coming out with.
However, these concerns arise from genuine incidences, such as the convicted terrorist who was caught on camera indoctrinating his five-year-old son. He asked him "Who do you love?", until the boy replied "I love Sheikh Osama bin Laden,"
Whilst most would agree that they want the country to be safe from the threat of terrorism, whether we are happy to let police officers into nurseries to monitor our children in the name of national security is another question.
Sir Norman defended the work of the government's anti-terrorism strategy, known as Prevent, saying, "It is easy to give Prevent initiatives a kicking because it is viewed as intrusive."
"But the next time there is a terrorist outrage involving young people who have been radicalised, there will be a wringing of hands and people will say, 'What more could we have done?' "
Do you think the police are going too far, or is this what it takes to keep us safe from terrorism?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
James 12-11-2009 @ 12:06PM
Obviously another example of intelligence led policing!
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REDNEX 12-11-2009 @ 2:33PM
The police should not entertain this. If they want to find something to do they should harass the proven fundamentalists and their sympathisers out of the country. But tha would be seen as racist...as most of them are not white.
ivan 12-19-2009 @ 12:34AM
don't you mean lack of inteeligence - how stupid and time wasting can they get
Big ed 12-11-2009 @ 12:12PM
Have a look at religionofpeace.com
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Eugene 12-11-2009 @ 12:33PM
All children are indoctrinated into a religion from an extremely early age, christian or muslim. It's not terrorism that's the problem here, it's filling the heads of vulnerable young children with religious mysticism, superstition and ignorance of all kinds. A child should be left until at least 16 to decide whether it needs to adopt an invisible, magic friend, or NOT to be involved with belief of any kind.
A child, like any one else, should have rights, and one of those rights is the freedom not to be indoctrinated at an early age. All religions have used terrorism in the past, and continue to indoctrinate the young.
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terrie 12-11-2009 @ 1:37PM
Well said Eugene !!!
Nickie9164 12-16-2009 @ 6:35PM
I could not agree more!!!!!! From first hand experience, leaving children to make their own mind up is the best way. My father never allowed us to be christened into the C of E like the rest of the family, he always maintained that we had to make that decision ourselves. After being taught about the beliefs of many different religions at school, i made a decision and was christened and confirmed at the age of 14 my brother chose not to and still isnt. I have passed this to my daughter, who hasnt been christened, and she has visited churches and mosques and any time she comes with a religious preference i will take her to the appropriate place of worship. Many adults forget that children are people too, they have rights too!!!
rich 12-11-2009 @ 3:47PM
absolute disgrace! ,the 'government' are using 'anti- terror' laws,(along with 'climate change') to justify the ever increasing police state, people WAKE UP if we all said NO to there ludricas policies,they could do nothing,the people have the power, NOT the governments,thats why they are obssed with divide and rule, as a whole we would be far to powerful!
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harry 12-11-2009 @ 3:30PM
for the last 3 years i have not allowed my children's school to teach any religion at all to my kids.so they do something useful,like learn.
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Rebecca 12-11-2009 @ 5:02PM
Harry, who are you to dictate to your children's school that they cannot teach religion? You have assumed that your opinion is more important than all the opinions and rights of other parents, and the rights of the children who deserve to receive knowldege, on the subject experiencing religious education. That type of outright judgmentalism, where one person cannot respect or consider the value of other people's views, is actual the same thinking intrinsic to radical religions. It shows extreme ignorance on your part to deny your own children (and even worse - other people's children) to learn about religious beliefs as these are core to the world set-up that we live in, our history as well as other peoples behavoir in society. You even state that giving children lessons on religious education is not even learning. I think you are the antithesis of education actually. Education is not just about what you think is important, its about informing people and giving them skills to utilise in the future. Your children would likely benefit of having an understanding of what is at the root of Christian, muslim, jewish and many other religions. It will help them understand other people when they are older, as well as the society that they live in, and others that they will come across at some point in their lives. Why deny them knowledge? If your kids grow up with the same attitude as you - that they are right and everyone else who doesnt think the same way is wrong - then you are setting them up for some pretty difficult times in life.
RiaMacQ 12-12-2009 @ 6:01AM
Harry - schools don't teach religion they teach about religion. So children learn of most religions, their similarities and their differences. The aim is to create understanding and tolerance. Whether it works or not remains to be seen but in denying your children access to these classes they infact are not actually 'learning' anything useful that will help them to understand and get along with those in this country who are not 'likethem'. What a shame.
MollySeagram 12-12-2009 @ 12:51PM
How sad that you should pass your ignorance onto your children and we worry about the Muslims!
Learning about the different religions and visiting the different places of worship ie church, mosque, temple opens their minds and from that they learn.
A little mind opening would do you a power of good.
Pikey 12-11-2009 @ 3:38PM
I think the police need to use what ever intelegence is necessary to monitor fundimental teachings whether Islamic; far right or far left politically. Where persons are not uk decenedants, and involved in extreme fundimental teachings, deportation to their birth place, or that of their parents must remain a viable option. Those who sneak back into this country, who have previously been expelled, should risk the deportation of their entire family. Clan culture exists in every country 'birds of a feather stick together', we are all ambassadors of our country; beliefs and customs. The problem is the level of disrespect that exists today breeds fundamentalist.
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roucla 12-11-2009 @ 4:46PM
When I went to a state school we said our prayer to god and song hymes - I did not have a religous back ground of going to church with my familly and received no indoctrination as a child some call it -
I remember those days and like the fact I new wht Christmas was about and not just for getting what I could - Its a pitty that the conservatives stopped assembly prayers and carrols and now we are reduced to Wintervall and Season Greetings so when people talk of terrorists and a broken society hell bent on greed don't blamed morning prayers and Hymns because it dont wash with me.
The Muslims I come accross are polite dont drink and visit Santa in the Malls and smile back. The guys I work with want respect thats all they aint all terrorists
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Growler 12-11-2009 @ 7:04PM
Do in Rome as the Romans do, or bloody go home. Muslims are not wanted in Europe, no other Nation caues so much trouble to the world. Uncivilised comes to mind.
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jreddall29 12-11-2009 @ 7:15PM
In the fight against terrorism, we're dealing with something which doesn't play by the same rules as us. Always remember this, so starting with really small children would be par for the course for them
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ula 12-12-2009 @ 1:23AM
You should watch 'Loose Change 2nd Edition' to find out about terrorism.
pauline 12-11-2009 @ 7:51PM
All Religions should be banned by law. It only causes wars, violence, bitterness and at the end of the day who do you know came back after being dead to tell you that there is life after death or a god after you have died. It does not matter what religion you are none have not got the answer, Archbishop, Pope you name them and I can say that I know as much as they do. which is naff all. But mother nature is wonderful. you have only got to look out of your window Its a shame that people dont see. Its not religion that the reason for fighting ,people use it as an excuse for greed and contolling others.
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Malcolm 12-12-2009 @ 5:03AM
All religions cause war do they Pauline? Could I give you just a few quotations from the sermon on the mount given by Jesus Christ. "Blessed are the merciful... Blessed are the peacemakers... whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also... If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also... whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two... love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..." This doesn't look much like a recipe for war to me. If you want to see the whole text you will find it in Matthew chapter 5.
ula 12-12-2009 @ 1:17AM
This is an outrageous article written, among others, to slowly get us used to a police presence and intrusion on all levels of our lives from cradle to grave. Already in England (which is the first to implement these things but they always spread to other countries) they are putting cameras in private homes to make sure that the parents are 'good', kids can't be babysat by trustworthy neighbors unless they are registered in some state data base, etc. Children are used as an excuse for all these civil rights abuses but also because they are the next generation and the big boys want to make sure they grow up in a climate where unlawful spying, searches, seizures, etc. are a daily occurrence unworthy of notice.
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