Calls to debrief potential radicals (From Halesowen News)

Calls to debrief potential radicals

9:56am Wednesday 18th March 2009 in National News © Press Association 2011

Britain's former top Muslim police officer is to call for Muslim leaders to set up community panels to "debrief people with warped views of Islam".

Ex-Met Police man Tarique Ghaffur will also call for a UK Muslim helpline "to gather information from parents fearful of their children turning radical".

In a speech, he will call on mosques to show civic leadership by encouraging Muslims to join uniformed services.

Due at the University of Leicester, Mr Ghaffur will also say gagging orders should be used on extremists.

"I will be asking Muslim communities to do the following to tackle extremism and radicalisation," Mr Ghaffur said.

"The Muslim Council of Britain, which is the leadership umbrella body for many Muslims in Britain, should as a matter of urgency seek legal advice regarding extremists.

"The legal advice should explore possibilities whether any injunction could be brought in the interests of community safety and cohesion to ban them from appearing on mainstream television channels and public gatherings where they go about spreading hatred.

"The associations and institutions representing Muslim academics and theologists should urgently consider setting up community panels to debrief people with warped views on Islam. Such panels exist in Saudi Arabia and appear to work well to change mindset and behaviour."

He went on: "The panels could be supported with a national helpline, akin to ChildLine, to encourage information from parents concerned about their children turning radical.

"Law enforcement agencies could consider referring some people on the periphery of criminality to the panels for non-judicial interventions akin to successful restorative justice methods for offenders."