GOVERNMENT anti-extremism bosses should visit East Lancashire said two leading local community cohesion experts.

This would enable them to see how integration and education work is done properly.

Community cohesion expert Faz Patel and former Blackburn Cathedral dialogue development officer Anjum Anwar were reacting to a new study which suggest the latest version of the Prevent initiative risks stigmatising Muslim students.

The research expresses concern that while education staff are confident about their duties, there are fears about the programme’s impact on certain groups of youngsters and reveals ‘discomfort’ about the promotion of ‘fundamental’ values of tolerance and democracy while labelling them ‘British’.

Mrs Anwar and Burnley MP Julie Cooper echoed the study’s worries on the issue.

The strategy also requires schools, colleges, prisons and health professionals to highlight any concerns about individuals being radicalised by the far-right or Islamists.

The academic study was based on in-depth interviews across 14 schools in West Yorkshire and London, eight council Prevent workers and a national poll of 225 school and college staff.

Mr Patel from Blackburn, who received an MBE for his work in community cohesion, said: “I am disappointed that the team did not come to East Lancashire where we have been doing this work for years.

“We have been working closely in schools and colleges and we already promote British values.

“I am happy with the way the government is going about this although the work with young people must be done sensitively.”

Mrs Anwar said: “I just wish these people and government advisers would come to East Lancashire and see how it has been done here for years.

“My concern is how this Tory-led agenda could affect students.

“We need to open up discussion about extremism not close it down so difficult questions can be asked and answered.”

Mrs Cooper said: “ I support the principles of Prevent but strongly believe the current programme has serious weaknesses and has alienated some of the people it aims to help. I will be urging the Government to review the detail.”

She added: “I suggest it would be helpful to rebrand the initiative.”

Mr Patel said: “Anjum and I have agreed to disagree on parts of this.”