New officers to forge Muslim ties

Thames Valley Police have unveiled two new members of staff dedicated to preventing violent extremism in Oxford's Muslim community.

The Prevent Engagement Officers (PEOs) aim to build contacts with the local community, working together with Muslims to counter extremist messages.

PEO Mohammed Azad said that Oxford did not have a problem with extremism.

Instead, his role had been introduced "because of demographics - there are 9,000 muslims living in this area."

Mr Azad will be working alongside Amele Djebbar, a former police community support officer.

Their brief is to improve community links by meeting Muslim groups, visiting mosques and forging links with schools, youth groups and women's groups.

They will also help roll out a recently-launched schools' toolkit for preventing extremism.