London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has announced new £875,000 funding to empower communities in the capital to tackle hate and radicalisation.
His office said the latest funding, which takes the total support for the causes to £3 million, will help 25 projects run workshops and educational activities “to challenge racist and hateful views in their communities.”
City Hall’s announcement comes amid growing concerns that young people are becoming targets of radicalisation.
Home Office data showed 32 individuals aged under 17 were arrested in the country for terror offences last year - the highest on record.
There have been 166 counter-terrorism arrests across the UK and eight late-stage terror attacks have been foiled by police and security services in the past 12 months.
Khan said the new grassroots funding which marks the fourth year of his Shared Endeavour Fund, will support community projects to empower “Londoners to stand up against all forms of hate, intolerance and extremism.”
The Shared Endeavour Fund which aims to tackle all forms of violent extremism, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia and misogyny, has already supported more than 70 projects since 2020.
The projects include Arc Theatre which promotes empathy, the Chelsea Foundation which facilitates discussions on hate and extremism and the Future Leaders programme which delivers awareness-raising training.
Khan said as the rising cost-of-living crisis has impacted “so many who may be vulnerable and disaffected,” the Government should follow the Greater London Authority’s lead and “prioritise tackling the threat of terrorism and extremism in our communities and online.”
With a record number of young people arrested for terrorism offences last year, Khan said, “Keeping Londoners safe is my top priority.”
Future Leaders founding director Faheem Khan hailed the new investment, saying it meant “we have been able to empower hundreds of young people across London, who will go on to empower countless others.”
Sadiq Khan announces new funding to tackle hate, extremism
The mayor’s office said the latest funding will help 25 projects run workshops and educational activities “to challenge racist and hateful views in their communities.â€�
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)