More than 60 per cent of Londoners do not know how to get help for someone vulnerable to radicalisation

Theses figures come as part of research from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan’s Countering Violent Extremism programme, which was launched in December 2017 to safeguard people who might be vulnerable to extremist views.

According to the research, 64 per cent of people in the capital said they would not know how to seek help from the authorities if they were worried about an individual being vulnerable to manipulation towards extremism or terrorism.

Mr Khan said: “Violent extremism is one of the biggest threats facing London and our country.

“We simply must do better at safeguarding the vulnerable and stopping people from promoting these vile ideologies with such horrific consequences.”

The research also shows more than 60 per cent of people think extremism is increasing; a quarter of people said they had witnessed or experienced extremist views in the past year and 17 per cent of people said they have witnessed views promoting or supporting acts of terrorism in the past year.

Last week the Government announced it would be reviewing its Prevent programme – an initiative to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Mr Khan welcome this review but said his research was evidence that the Government’s Prevent programme is failing.

He added: “We have to do more to empower communities to speak out and challenge hate crime and extremist views.

“We need communities to report concerns to the police and local authorities and find lasting solutions that will stop the spread of violent extremism completely.”

This warning comes as Mr Khan is meeting with advisors in his Countering Violent Extremism programme to discuss how its work has been progressing.

Specialist adviser Cllr Clare Coghill, who is also the leader of Waltham Forest Council, said: “All communities need to understand the ever-changing threat from extremism in London and what part we all play in challenging extremist views.”