Anti-terror tsar warns Islamic extremism is addiction like drugs

Published on Saturday 28 June 2008 19:52

ISLAMIC extremism should be regarded as a potential addiction for youngsters just like drugs, alcohol and gambling, according to the Scottish Government's anti-terror tsar Allan Burnett.

The senior police officer wants to introduce rehabilitative measures similar to addiction support to prevent youngsters from becoming radicalised by fundamentalists, instead of sending them to prison.

Speaking on the eve of the first anniversary of the Glasgow Airport attack, Burnett, the assistant chief constable of Fife, said although there would be no leniency for those committing acts of serious violence he wanted to develop restorative justice and early intervention initiatives for young people as part of the strategy to stop future attacks.

Appointed in the aftermath of the Glasgow attack to co-ordinate the country's anti-terrorist response, he said he was also keen on building the trust of parents and the wider community and encourage them to come forward with concerns.

Burnett said: "When concerned parents come to the authorities, whether it be the school, social work or the police, then we have to look at suitable ways to support the parents and their children.

"I have no doubt that the answer to some of this will resemble what we do with other addictions or perversions."

A prompt response was the key, he added. "One of the things we are trying to do is early intervention, which we would use in other areas of behaviour to put a stop to it.

"Just like any other perversion, the primary people who will stop (radicalisation] are parents.

"It happens with people concerned about their kids drinking, taking drugs or gambling. It happens right across the board and we shouldn't be surprised that sometimes parents don't have the knowledge or the skill to intervene in a positive way."

Burnett said the public needed to be aware of the difference between criminality and young people starting to look at extremist websites.