This definition is taken from the guidance given by the Crown Prosecution Service.

www.cps.gov.uk

‘Violent extremism’ may be defined as: The demonstration of unacceptable behaviour by using any means or medium to express views which: 

1. Foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs; 

This means to provoke others to take up violence to further a particular set of beliefs; these could be ideological, political or religious. 

1. Seek to provoke others to terrorist acts; 

This applies to those who go out of their ways to recruit others to take part in terrorist activity.

1. Foment other serious criminal activity or seek to provoke others to serious criminal acts; or

For those who encourage criminal activity that is not terror related but does contribute to the promotion of terrorism, it is now against the law.

Examples can include making places available for extremists to transmit their messages, printing and creating materials such as posters/leaflets/ DVDs that encourage violent extremism.

1. Foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK. 

Anyone who chooses to preach hatred that then leads to tension and misunderstanding between different groups in the UK; examples of this have been the recent EDL marches in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Leeds, and al Muhajiroun’s recent comments on Buckingham Palace and the Queen.

There are a number of offences that can be considered when dealing with violent extremism. They include offences arising through spoken words, creation of tapes and videos of speeches, internet entries, chanting, banners and written notes and publications.

The main offences employed to date have been soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred.