OUR NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTOR

Why are we carrying out this research?

​

The last 15 years has seen numerous attempts by successive UK governments to counter extremism. However, rather than diminishing, the threat of extremism both in the UK and in democracies around the globe appears to be both proliferating and intensifying. Often these previous attempts narrowed the focus of extremism solely to terrorism, rather than the harm extremism causes, by undermining democratic freedoms and eroding social cohesion. The disorder and violence across towns and cities in northern England and Northern Ireland in August 2024 has underlined the need for a fresh approach to tackling extremism.

​

​What is the research?​

​

Crest Insights is partnering with Dame Sara Khan, previously a Lead Commissioner for Countering Extremism and Independent Advisor on Social Cohesion and Resilience, to host a series of roundtables to discuss the contemporary extremist threat landscape in the UK, the merits and limitations of existing government policy and practical approaches to tackling extremism. These discussions will focus on the evolving nature of extremism, key drivers, the strengths and weaknesses of existing approaches and ways to counter extremism without infringing on civil liberties.

 

Key topics will include:

• The current scale and threat of extremism 

• Challenges extremism poses to society and public bodies

• The government response to extremism 

• Solutions and best practice to tackle extremism

• Lessons from other liberal democracies

 

We are looking forward to hearing from a wide range of experts across diverse sectors including local government, policing and security, civil society, academia and organisations with statutory responsibilities.

How are we conducting this research?
 

Funded by the Hofenung Foundation, a charitable trust established to promote racial tolerance and eliminate discrimination, these roundtables will be supplemented by analysis of data relating to extremist activity and an examination of the available literature on what works to counter extremism at the UK and abroad.

 

Dame Sara Khan, supported by Crest Insights, will use this research to inform policy papers which will be published later in the autumn, covering the current extremist landscape, and concerns about it, and outline what is needed to help better identify, prevent and respond to extremism.​