Cameron announces new fight against homegrown extremism

LONDON — Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron vowed Monday to defeat "poisonous" homegrown extremism and build a "stronger and more cohesive" society.

Outlining a new effort to combat terror threats at home over the next five years, Cameron said Britons must understand what makes extremism so attractive to those born and raised in the United Kingdom.

Counter-terrorism police estimate more than 700 Britons have traveled to Syria to fight and train with extremists, including the Islamic State — also known as ISIS and ISIL — and about half have returned to the U.K., where they pose a significant security threat.

"No one becomes a terrorist from a standing start," Cameron said in a speech in Birmingham, central England. "It starts with a process of radicalization."

He said "strong, positive Muslim voices" are being drowned out by supporters of extremism.

The prime minister announced a review to look into increasing employment opportunities for young minorities and ensuring they learn English. In addition, he said, the review will look at creating more university places and apprenticeships and better representation in the police, armed forces and the government for minority groups.

A new plan will enable parents to apply to have their child's passport cancelled to prevent them from travelling to countries such as Syria, he said. Internet companies must do more to "protect their users from the scourge of radicalization," he added.

In response to Cameron's speech, Shuja Shafi, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, which represents more than 500 mosques, schools and charities, said everybody has a part to play in "de-glamorizing" ISIL's cause.

"We worry, however, that these latest suggestions will set new litmus tests which may brand us all as extremists, even though we uphold and celebrate the rule of law, democracy and rights for all," he said.