AN expert in community cohesion said the arrest of a 14-year-old boy on terrorism charges has left people in East Lancashire shocked and surprised.

Faz Patel, who holds workshops to tackle common misconceptions about Islam, said the arrest had brought into focus the issue of radicalisation in the area.

The 14-year-old boy, of Audley, has been released on police bail until May 28 after being held on suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism. He has not been charged with any offence.

Mr Patel, 36, said there are many ways in which parents could act to protect their children from extremist views. He said the image of young Muslims being radicalised in a mosque is rubbish, and warned that his main concern is inappropriate messages and videos on the internet.

Mr Patel said: “The problem we are facing is the threat from the internet. To tackle it is going to be difficult and challenging but it is critical.

“The only communication with the outside world some youngsters have is over the internet.

“Because everybody has a smartphone, it is so easy to tap into Islamic State (IS, formerly Isis) or radicalisation. Isis is like a cult group and it is like a craze.

“People say radicalisation takes place in mosques but that is rubbish. It is in the bedroom on the computer and the internet. Parents are busy and have no idea what their kids are getting into.”

Mr Patel called for the government, social networks and search engines to work together to reduce Isis' virtual reach by blocking websites and accounts that host or disseminate extremist material.

He said: “Parents are concerned about what is available freely on the internet and I hope they put safeguarding measures in place.”

This week, Nafir Afzal — formerly chief Crown prosecutor for the North West — said he was concerned some teenagers see Isis as pop idols. He said: “The boys want to be like them and the girls want to be with them. That is what they used to say about The Beatles and more recently One Direction and Justin Bieber. The propaganda the terrorists put out is akin to marketing."

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal (Nelson) said: “In terms of radicalisation, because the internet is freely available, there is little control as to what children can view. Parents can block pornography but there is no filter for radicalisation and maybe that is something the internet providers and government need to look at.”