THE issue of the radicalisation of young Muslims in the UK is a very real one. We have seen the results, both at home and abroad, of what happens when young men are seduced by the siren call of Islamic revolution and persuaded to take up arms, and often forfeit their own lives, to fight for causes they become convinced are right.

So it is quite right that work is being done here in the UK to nip such radicalisation in the bud and persuade young people that becoming drawn in is a huge mistake.

The latest project is taking place in Bradford, where a local charity, with financial backing from the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, will work with youths deemed to be “at risk” from radical influences.

Perhaps the most eye-opening aspect of all this is that some of the young people thought to be in danger of succumbing to radicalisation are as young as eight.

A note of caution must be sounded, though, as to how this project will realise its admittedly worthy ambition of steering these children away from potential problems.

If, as is suggested, those who are chosen to participate in the scheme are likely to be influential young people who can pass on the anti-radicalisation message to their peers, then it could well have a positive effect.

But the danger of singling out children at risk of radicalisation must be sensitively handled – children are very acutely aware of things like this, and there is a risk of stigmatising those individuals.

Handled correctly, though, as we must assume it will be, this project could have very beneficial results.