Councillor for East Ham Central Unmesh Desai

Newham councillor Unmesh Desai got tough on Islamic extremism this week saying that combating extremist ideology is just as important as preventing terrorist action, and called on other councils to follow Newham’s example.

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The current executive member for Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour is concerned that treating violent and non-violent cases separately is ignoring the root of the problem.

In a blog for the Guardian newspaper, Councillor Desai said: “These views poison the minds of young people for whom the next logical step is to translate their anger into violence.

“‘Non-violent’ and ‘violent’ extremism are different sides of the same coin, and both have to be fought together.”