Counter terror officers to target universities

Special Branch officers are being stationed at universities amid concern that some institutions are being used as platforms to spread extremism.

The universities minister, David Lammy, said a number of institutions have been identified and instructed to work closely with the police.

Mr Lammy insisted the threat posed to universities had been exaggerated but admitted that it remained an “extremely serious issue”.

“We have identified universities for whom the risk is greater, and they have to work closely with Special Branch. So I think it is a partnership between leadership at universities and the police,” he said.

Speculation that the alleged “underpants bomber” Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was radicalised at University College London has raised concerns about campus extremism.

UCL – rated as one of the best in the world – has now launched an investigation into his time at the university.

Mr Lammy added: “We do recognise that threat levels have been raised and that this is an extremely serious issue and that there are particular institutions – and those institutions are aware of this because we have brought it to their attention – where the risk is greater and those institutions are working very closely with the police and are working closely with Special Branch and those institutions (police and Special Branch) are present on campus.”

The government has refused to be drawn on which universities had been identified or the number of institutions with tightened security.