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Parents can play a vital role in stopping young people becoming radicalised by right-wing terrorist groups, according to a terror police chief.

Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Snowden, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, says officers can not do it alone and everyone can play a part in stopping radicalisation.

It comes as a neo-Nazi Durham teen has been sentenced to six years eight months in jail at Manchester Crown Court after being found unanimously found guilty of six terror offences, including engaging in the preparation of acts of terrorism in November 2019.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, drafted his own manifesto entitled A Manual For Practical And Sensible Guerrilla Warfare Against The K*** System In The Durham City Area, Sieg Heil.

Targets in Durham such as schools, pubs, council buildings and post offices were identified in the first chapter, Areas To Attack, to "maximise the impact of the attacks and damage the system the most".

Det Ch Supt Snowden said it had been a protracted and challenging investigation not least due to the defendant's age.

In the lead up to the arrest, officers monitored the boy's online activity and identified an increase in concerning online activity that included neo-Nazi white supremacy ideology.

In the month before his arrest, he repeatedly searched for and visited websites related to "lone wolf" attacks by the likes of Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh, the Norwegian far-right terrorist Anders Breivik and Columbine High School shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.

(Image: handout)

As officers became more concerned about the activity and that he could pose a credible risk, a decision was made to arrest him in March last year.

Det Ch Supt Snowden added: "We had been trying to identify what that risk potential was and made the decision before arrest that the activity had come to a stage that we could not allow him to continue.

"We needed to take the necessary action to stop any threat risk he posed to the wider community.

"The decision to investigate, arrest and prosecute a young person is never an easy one; however we will always take necessary and proportionate action to keep our communities safe."

The detective said the case highlights the dangers young people face online today.

"The negative influence and powerful manipulation that takes place by those who seek to radicalise them cannot be underestimated," he said.

“Prevention is always better than cure, and we would always seek to reach out and engage with people before they are drawn down the path to criminal activity. "

Analysis of his computer devices and mobile phone uncovered numerous internet searches on firearms, explosives and knives.

The youngster also wrote of planning to conduct an arson spree with Molotov cocktails on local synagogues.

Various handwritten documents were seized from his bedroom in March by police who also found a collection of far-right literature, Manchester Crown Court heard.

(Image: Counter Terrorism Police North East/PA Wire)

The youth was unanimously found guilty of disseminating a terrorist publication, possessing an article for a purpose connected with terrorism and three counts of possessing a document or record containing information likely to be useful to a terrorist.

Det Ch Supt Snowden said protecting young people is not something that can be done by the police alone.

He added: "We all have a part to play in keeping vulnerable teenagers safe from a potentially dangerous path to radicalisation.

“We want to empower all communities to speak out and counter poisonous, hateful narrative to help keep our children and those who are vulnerable safe."

How to report a potential terror threat Every year thousands of reports from the public help police tackle the terrorist threat. If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and ACT by reporting to police in confidence at gov.uk/ACT. Reporting won’t ruin lives, but it could save them. Action Counters Terrorism. Remember, in an emergency, always dial 999.

Det Ch Supt Snowden said it is vital to know and understand the content young people are reading and engaging with the help protect them from hate and toxic rhetoric and ideologies.

He added: "Recognising changes in attitude and behaviour which could indicate they have been drawn to the principles and ideologies held by others and seeking support and advice from professionals could save a young person from a potentially destructive path.

“If concerns about someone’s behaviour are raised early, we can, along with our strategic partners look to offer bespoke, appropriate support to help safeguard that individual.

“Anyone worried about someone they know can make a referral in the confidence that it will be assessed and where deemed appropriate, support offered."

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Det Ch Supt Snowden said society cannot escape the use of technology in modern times, but it must be aware of the dangers that can surround children and young people.

He added: “Prevent is the most important strategy we have to safeguard young people from radicalisation and it is always better reaching people before they’re drawn into criminal activity.

“Unfortunately, there are those who elect not to engage and refuse the support that is offered. In these cases, or where their behaviour has already gone too far, intervention may no longer be an option and we will take robust action."