DfES: Violent extremism must be faced head on

Universities and colleges are being targeted by Islamic extremists, the Department for Education of Skills (DfES) has warned.

Issuing guidance to lecturers on combating radicalism, higher education minister Bill Rammell called on universities, students, the police and government to work together to protect students being recruited for violent extremism.

The advice "provides a recognition – that I believe must be faced squarely – that violent extremism in the name of Islam is a real, credible and sustained threat to the UK", Mr Rammell said.

And he warned there was "evidence of serious, but not widespread Islamist extremist activity" within higher education.

The guidance was "not about targeting one particular community", Mr Rammell insisted, saying its aim was to encourage vice-chancellors and college heads to take "their responsibilities for the safety of all their staff and students very seriously".

"It is also about protecting vulnerable students from bullying and harassment and other recruiting tactics of violent extremist groups," he added.