Counter-terrorism Strategy (CONTEST)

Everyone has the right to live in a safe and welcoming neighbourhood where they feel they belong.

However, the UK, like many other countries, faces a continuing threat from terrorism. We face a very real challenge from terrorism and violent extremism from a very small minority who seek to harm innocent people in the name of an ideology that causes division, hatred and violence.

Some people who join terrorist groups have previously been members of extremist organisations and have been radicalised by them.

The Government has defined extremism as: "vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

In South Tyneside we have made great progress in making our communities stronger, safer and more prosperous.

Our vision is to make South Tyneside a place where everyone can feel involved and included in a way that suits them, where people understand and respect each other, where people are proud of their shared values and identity, and communities are actively engaged in decisions that affect them.