Right-wing demonstrations fuel Islamic extremism, police warn

The actions of groups such as the English Defence League can provide opportunities for recruiting Muslims to radicalism, according to counter-terrorism officers.

Since the EDL emerged last summer it has held demonstrations in towns and cities against Islamic extremism, and another planned for Preston city centre on Saturday, November 27.

But the West Midlands counter-terrorism unit said there is evidence that violence or damage towards Muslim property associated with EDL demos encourages extremist retaliation afterwards.

Det Supt John Larkin told BBC Radio 5 Live: "They look for the hook to pull people through and when the EDL have been and done what they've done, perversely they leave that behind."

Another officer said extreme sections of the EDL attacking Muslims provide "constituent parts" for those who would radicalise vulnerable people to encourage them to "go through the gateway towards being radicalised".

A lecturer in 20th century history at Northampton University, Matthew Feldman, told the programme the EDL grew out of a "tit-for-tat kind of extremism and radicalisation".

He added: "We see a very exacting example of just how symbiotic some of these types of radicalisation can be."

Policing Minister Nick Herbert told 5 Live: "Violence and intimidation are highly unacceptable, wherever it comes from.

"You can't tackle extremism by being extremist yourself. You don't prevent hatred by being hateful yourself."

Lancashire Constabulary said they are working hard to ensure the Preston EDL demonstration – which is likely to attract a counter event from Unite Against Fascism – causes minimum disruption.

Police and council chiefs want people to be able to go about their daily business in the city despite the gatherings, which have caused flashpoints at similar events