Extremist Views Amongst Young People

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:58 pm on 31 January 2023.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 1:58, 31 January 2023

Thank you, and I certainly would agree with the Member that it is very concerning, and the sentencing of the young person from Cardiff that you referred to—it was a range of offences, including offences under terror legislation. What that does is really serve us all as a reminder that extremism is a very, very real issue right across the UK. 

Obviously, our education sector plays a hugely important role in safeguarding our young people through providing counter-narratives, support and engaging with counter-terrorism policing in the relevant authorities when necessary. We have our Wales police schools programme—that's been supported by Welsh Government, I think, now for nearly 20 years, and we invest just under £2 million each year, and match funding's also provided by police forces right across Wales. Counter-terrorism policing provide routine briefings to all our school liaison officers to enable them to provide inputs across Wales. 

I mentioned the important role of education, but also, I think our best chance of protecting those who are most vulnerable to radicalisation is to adopt a whole-system approach, and that does include front-line staff in our health services and also in our local government services.