The increase in people being reported to Prevent, the government's anti-terrorism scheme, is deeply troubling, especially as a third of them are children under 15.
Drilling into the figures reveals a picture of British extremism that may surprise many. Contrary to impressions from figures like Nigel Farage or Matthew Goodwin, the most dangerous threats are not from the "radical left" or Islamic extremists.
Far-right extremism dominates reports
Twenty percent of the total were reported over far-right extremist ideologies, twice as many as links to Islamic extremism. Just 0.3% related to left-wing extremism. This is a worrying illustration of how the far right has been allowed to fester and grow in Britain.
For years, people have been told that individuals are afraid to identify extremism for fear of being branded racist. Perhaps we have also grown afraid to call out racism where we see it, and that is at least as big a problem.
Devastating wildfire impact
The hottest summer on record is having a devastating impact on Britain's wildlife and countryside habitats. Beautiful Dunwich Heath in Suffolk is now scorched black, a home for deer, birds, and butterflies reduced to ash by a wildfire that ripped through the National Trust reserve last week.
Some animals escaped in time, but many were too small or slow to outrun the fire. Nobody can say if or when the woodland, heather, and vegetation will recover. Even strict fire-prevention measures were not enough to slow down the 130ft high flames as the inferno raced through the heath. The forecast suggests temperatures could rise again after the weekend.
Many people struggle to get angry about climate change because it is hard to imagine the impact it will have on future generations. Today, no imagination is necessary – the result is here for all to see.
Pub restrictions criticized
Miseryguts Tories in London want to ban standing up and ordering at the bar in pubs. What next? No drinking? No talking? A crackdown on arguments over who the best Bond was?
At a time when the hospitality industry is struggling to stay afloat, wouldn't this effort be better spent making it a crime to leave when it's your round?
