Football fans are treated more harshly by cops than extremists calling for ‘jihad’ on our streets, says former Minister
POLICE treat football fans more harshly than jihadists, an ex-Home Office Minister says.
Senior Tory Robert Jenrick is demanding cops take stern action to tackle the “cancer of Islamist extremism”.
His call comes after MPs were told the threat of a terrorist incident in the UK has increased due to the war in Gaza.
Mr Jenrick said: “We must immediately end the two-tiered policing that has consistently let extremists off the hook.
“Appeasement has only emboldened them.
“I’ve seen stronger enforcement against football fans than extremists promoting terrorism and calling for jihad.”
He spoke out after PM Rishi Sunak delivered an address in Downing Street on Friday saying Britain must face down those who want to “tear us apart”.
Mr Jenrick, who quit the Government over Rwanda legislation being too weak, wants police to take stricter action against hate preachers and extremists online.
Writing in the Mail on Sunday, he says the current policing approach is creating a “petri dish” for radicalisation.
He also says the intelligence services are “stretched”, so apply a high threshold before engaging with individuals.
Mr Jenrick added: “That means plenty of less dangerous — but still hateful — extremists don’t qualify for scrutiny.”