A 1-day raising awareness programme for community/school liaison police officers from selected London boroughs. Delivered at New Scotland Yard, 2011.

 

Programme Outline:

Overall aims:

To equip specialist school/community-link officers with the knowledge and skills to

(i)  address the distorted interpretation of the non-violent message of the Islamic faith 

(ii) referencing the wider social context of discontent within the UK and internationally.

(iii)As a corollary, to promote community cohesion through the safeguarding agenda and other routes.

 

Objectives:

a) To consider whether we are a tolerant or intolerant society.

b) To outline the rise of radicalised Islam within the local, UK and international contexts specifically in respect of vulnerable individuals to AQ (al-Qaeda) inspired grooming.

c) To equip participants with the knowledge and understanding of the

 non-violent message of the Islamic faith, specifically in relation to

–      Ijazah

–      Tenets of the faith

–      Jihad

 

d) To provide opportunities for participants to develop the skills and confidence to progressively

 

       (i)  identify vulnerable individuals within the safeguarding umbrella

       (ii) refer to supportive agencies

       (iii)Where appropriate, to do so in conjunction with the Channel Project.

 

Selected feedback to the Met raising awareness programme for community/school liaison officers:

 

(1) Overall training programme.

·       The training provided was quite valuable in my opinion & highlighted the level of work required by all agencies including police to combat terrorism or terrorist activities.

·       A very intensive and educational training input.

·       Excellent.

·       First part of the day was ‘Punchy’ and easy to understand the topic.

·       Well structured.

·       Very useful day.

 

(2)  Speakers

·       The great speakers were very influential and informative.

·       Well presented.

·       Excellent presentation overall.

·       Really good input from 3 teachers. Thank you.  

 

(3)  Content/topics/knowledge

·       The topics discussed were relevant and enjoyable.

·       Lots of information.

·       Very enjoyable & engaging.

·       Risks of who is vulnerable to radicalisation.

·       Good knowledge base for multi faith schools.

·       The DVD was very good. + point – nice and short and full of salient points for the kids. Plenty of examples for the audience to identify with and instill discussion.

·       Brief History of radicalised Islam: Very informative.

·       Explaining meaning of jihad in a way missed by media. Helped explain things and reasons for extremist ideology.

·       Helped my understanding of Muslim culture.

·       Ifty and Arshad case study brings out some very good points and discussions.

 

(4) Relevance to others

·       In my opinion (the training) highlighted the level (of) work required by all agencies including police to combat terrorism or terrorist activities.

·       I think everyone should do it as mandatory training to raise awareness.

·       It is my belief that the GOT toolkit would be very useful and much needed in schools & further education establishments.