End of year report: one year on
The Commission for Countering Extremism's end of year review, covering work done by the Commission over the last 12 months.
The Commission for Countering Extremism has published its End of Year Review today, highlighting work done by the Commission over the course of the last 12 months in helping tackle extremism in the UK.
Robin Simcox was appointed as Interim Commissioner in March 2021. Those he has engaged with over the course of the last 12 months includes Ministers, policy and intelligence officials, law enforcement, and arms-length bodies, among others. In doing so, he has helped advise on the issues they face regarding extremism – be it online, in schools, prisons, charities, or elsewhere.
Robin Simcox says:
Over the past 12 months I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to input into the vital work that is taking place in this area.
Extremism is a scourge on our society and the challenges it poses are great. Communities divided, viewing each other with mutual suspicion and hatred. A rejection of democratic values and principles. A mindset that can justify or lead to hate crime or terrorism.
There is much to do. The engagement I have undertaken has demonstrated to me a need to not only increase awareness of extremism across the public sector but also increase the sophistication of our collective response. Meanwhile, the challenges Government faces around engagement, particularly with groups where there is an extremism concern, endure.
The extremism landscape is dynamic and evolving. However, the challenges it presents are consistent. I will do all I can to ensure the CCE is at the forefront of addressing them.