Muslim extremists who try to force teenage Hindu girls to convert to Islam are being targeted in a new police crackdown.

The recruiters – often paid £5,000 for each success – are stepping up ‘aggressive conversion’ tactics, especially around universities, religious leaders believe.

The Metropolitan Police have stepped in after commissioner Sir Ian Blair said many Hindus felt neglected by Scotland Yard.

Some young students have been beaten up and forced to abandon their courses by extremists, Hindu leaders told a security conference.

Islamic extremists invited the girls on dates before beginning campaigns of ‘terrorism’ until they converted, they claimed.

Ramesh Kallidai, from the Hindu Forum of Britain, said: ‘Extremist Muslims make life miserable for Hindu girls.

‘Some are petrified; they feel these men have complete hold on them.

One girl was beaten up in the street and others have been forced to leave university.’

The problem was most common in cities such as Birmingham, Leeds and Bradford, he added, while London universities had ‘at least two or three cases’ each.

Mr Kallidai estimated hundreds of girls had been targeted, with some reports of Muslim boys being offered £5,000 ‘commissions’.

The National Union of Students said it did not want to discriminate against Muslims but agreed some extremists were causing concern.

They have managed to infiltrate Brunel University in West London, Bedfordshire University, Sheffield Hallam University and Manchester Metropolitan University, according to a Muslim charity.

Sheikh Musa Admani, a ‘troubleshooting’ imam, fears many radicals are easily by-passing university bans on extremist sects such as Hizb ut Tahrirs and Al-Mujahiroun.

Scotland Yard is to set up a Hindu Safety Forum with ‘aggressive conversion’ as its top priority.

Sir Ian said: ‘There is a feeling in the Hindu community that we have not given them as much attention as other groups.’