BRADFORD children as young as eight are to be steered away from radicalisation in a new project in the district.

Some city schools have become so concerned about the welfare of youngsters who appear to have fallen under the spell of those trying to radicalise children that they have raised the alarm with the authorities.

Now Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson has put aside thousands of pounds for work intended to pluck children in the eight to 14 age group from the influence of those who seek to influence them with radical religious messages.

The cash will allow specialist workers to deal with 36 children, including one group which will be made up of six females from Bradford's minority communities, who are seen to be at particular risk from fanatics.

Some concerns have been raised about whether the tactics are the best approach to tackle extremism in the city, however.

Bradford's JAMES charity, which works with children across a broad age range, has been commissioned to carry out the work and staff will use a range of techniques to help ensure the youngsters stay within mainstream society.

Mr Burns-Williamson said the JAMES project was granted funding partly because it helped to ensure "threats, risks and harms" were tackled.

The charity will use a grant of £4,914 to pay for the work, which involves a contract to work with a total of 36 children deemed to be at risk. Some of the sessions will take place on the charity's canal boat, which is moored at Shipley Wharf.

JAMES' operations manager, Mandy Lakes, confirmed there had already been cases reported of attempts made to radicalise children.

Now they will be going into schools where suspicions have been raised, "so we know we are working with the right people," she said.

"When we have identified them, it is about creating partnerships so we know we are tackling the issues these people have.

"The whole agenda is quite new, it is about the police and crime commissioner and police having new initiatives," she said.

Work will be tailored to different age ranges, but will focus on ensuring children are able to contribute to society, with mentoring and the use of role models to help them challenge the influence of extremists.

The National Union of Teachers has expressed caution over the work, however, with Bradford spokesman Ian Murch saying he believed work across whole school communities could be more effective.

"It is interesting how on earth they will target these 36. I will be interested because I know my members will be," he said.

"Taking kids out is quite a dangerous thing. Education aimed at all children is almost certainly better than trying to find a target group."

Bradford East MP David Ward: "My first thought is that if we are protecting these young people, who is doing the radicalising?

"The best way to protect children is to take action against those who pose a threat."

Mr Burns-Williamson is paying for the work using cash recouped from criminals who have had their assets seized by courts.

He said "The JAMES project addresses some of the key priorities in the Police and Crime Plan which include reducing anti-social behaviour, crime and re-offending, ensuring victims and witnesses are supported and ensuring local, regional and national threats, risks and harms are tackled.

“The project was one I was happy to support as it involves improving understanding, acceptance, interaction and cohesion across the diverse communities of Bradford, and particularly a better understanding between young and older people and reducing fear, as well as improving community relationships."