In this event, Commander Mak Chishty, the highest ranking Muslim police officer in the Metropolitan police, will outline the critical role of communities and community engagement in countering extremism and strengthening security at the local level.

Community engagement is a vital part of the Met Police's strategy to counter extremism. Particularly in the aftermath of the Lee Rigby murder, Muslim communities now play an increasingly significant role in fostering greater trust and security.

To discuss this issue in more depth, Commander Chishty will examine the role that communities can play in building both the capability and the confidence to mobilise a common mission against violent extremism. He will focus on the main causes of isolation, with emphasis on the perceived lack of identity in Muslim groups, and describe some common drivers as experienced through policing methods.