NEWS that a Bolton teacher had planned to go and fight for Isis in Syria shocked the town.

But Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Police are adamant that they are working hard to stop any more of the town's people being radicalised.

Jamshed Javeed was prepared to give up his family life and job as a science teacher at Sharples School to join the extremist cause.

Just last week, a 14-year-old boy from Blackburn and 16-year-old girl from Manchester were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.

The council say staff are being trained around the radicalisation of young people, while police have detailed their Prevent strategy.

Police can seize suspects passports under the Royal Prerogative, and have powers to search for travel documents under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill.

GMP say they are working with local authorities, faith institutions and civil groups, funding outreach projects that reach a large number of young people.

A recent report into radicalisation was published by the Home Affairs Select Committee, with its chairman Keith Vaz saying the number of cases should "ring alarm bells" and describing the situation as like being on the "edge of a cliff".

It called for young people to be given the skills needed to resist radicalisation online.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We work closely with Greater Manchester Police and the NW Counter Terrorism Unit to tackle extremism.

"In some cases, where relevant, this includes training for staff around radicalisation of young people.”

Det Chf Supt Tony Mole, head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit said: "We want to prevent families from being torn apart by seeing their loved ones travel to Syria.

"Parents need to have the conversation with their children about the reality of the lifestyle people travelling there will be greeted with.

"It’s the changes in behaviour that parents should look out for and safeguarding them, especially when it comes to internet safety."

Javeed, aged 30, was caught after his family battled to stop him travelling to the Middle East, even hiding his passport, after he had already paid for his younger brother Mohammed, who has not returned since, to go.

He was jailed for six years, with a further three to be served on licence, at Woolwich Crown Court in February.