ON SUNDAY I spoke in a BBC Radio Wales discussion on the very serious and disturbing problem of the radicalisation of young people in the UK, and said that we need to do more to prevent both their radicalisation and the flow of foreign fighters to Iraq, Syria and elsewhere - not just look to apprehend those who return.

This constituency has sadly seen a number of high-profile cases over the summer, in which young local men have been radicalised and travelled abroad to fight with Islamic State extremists, as well as some very public activity in Cardiff and the Vale by groups who are peddling a false version of Islam and encouraging extremist views.

It is simply not acceptable to have this activity occurring locally - and I’m doing a great deal of work on this issue with local police and community leaders, and have held talks with senior government ministers about my concerns.

Of course the overwhelming majority of Muslims in the UK completely condemn and reject the actions of militant groups such as IS, and those who would seek to radicalise young people here. I was very pleased that imams and religious leaders across our area and from all backgrounds signed up to a statement I helped co-ordinate over the summer, condemning those who seek to exploit our young people.

However, some young people are being exposed to online materials and extremist views well outside of the gaze of their parents, religious leaders and friends.

The issue is complex and highly sensitive, but the basic fact is that we must do more on a practical level to prevent radicalisation (government cuts to funding in this area have not helped), and co-ordinate a response across schools, colleges, communities and universities.

I also have real questions about whether enough is being done in terms of checks at our borders, and whether indeed we have the right legislation in place to tackle those who we suspect are trying to go overseas. We must have the strongest checks in place to ensure they are not able to travel.

Unfortunately some of them are using commercial routes to get to places like Syria and Iraq, and unfortunately, I don’t believe we're doing enough - as evidenced by the number that are out there fighting - to stop those individuals getting there.

Sadly, again this phenomena shows that events overseas - whether in Gaza, Syria or Iraq - matter for the safety and security of our own streets and young people. We must ensure concerns about the horrors of these conflicts are channelled into positive action to help those affected - not brutal extremism.

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This Saturday (August 30), I am holding a drop-in constituency surgery alongside local Labour councillors at West House, Stanwell Road, Penarth, between 10am and 11am. No appointment is necessary.