London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has announced new £875,000 funding to empower communities in the capital to tackle hate and radicalisation.
His office said the latest funding, which takes the total support for the causes to £3 million, will help 25 projects run workshops and educational activities “to challenge racist and hateful views in their communities.”
City Hall’s announcement comes amid growing concerns that young people are becoming targets of radicalisation.
Home Office data showed 32 individuals aged under 17 were arrested in the country for terror offences last year - the highest on record.
There have been 166 counter-terrorism arrests across the UK and eight late-stage terror attacks have been foiled by police and security services in the past 12 months.
Khan said the new grassroots funding which marks the fourth year of his Shared Endeavour Fund, will support community projects to empower “Londoners to stand up against all forms of hate, intolerance and extremism.”
The Shared Endeavour Fund which aims to tackle all forms of violent extremism, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia and misogyny, has already supported more than 70 projects since 2020.
The projects include Arc Theatre which promotes empathy, the Chelsea Foundation which facilitates discussions on hate and extremism and the Future Leaders programme which delivers awareness-raising training.
Khan said as the rising cost-of-living crisis has impacted “so many who may be vulnerable and disaffected,” the Government should follow the Greater London Authority’s lead and “prioritise tackling the threat of terrorism and extremism in our communities and online.”
With a record number of young people arrested for terrorism offences last year, Khan said, “Keeping Londoners safe is my top priority.”
Future Leaders founding director Faheem Khan hailed the new investment, saying it meant “we have been able to empower hundreds of young people across London, who will go on to empower countless others.”
Sadiq Khan announces new funding to tackle hate, extremism
The mayor’s office said the latest funding will help 25 projects run workshops and educational activities “to challenge racist and hateful views in their communities.â€�
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)