SCHOOLCHILDREN are at risk of being radicalised and drawn into criminal activities by extremists, the Government warned yesterday.

Teachers are being urged to help stamp out the problem by winning the 'hearts and minds' of youngsters from an early age.

They must do more to tackle the threat of violent extremism such as by drafting in British-born imams to teach citizenship lessons.

Warning: Children's Secretary Ed Balls says schools must be equipped to counter threat of extremists

The proposals form part of new guidance that will be published next week to ensure local authorities and police work more closely with schools.

They come in the wake of last week's Exeter restaurant bombing, which police suspect was the work of a British-educated convert to Islam.

On July 7, 2005, London was also attacked by home-grown terrorists including a teaching assistant.

Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls told the Times Educational Supplement that a 'tiny minority do seek to radicalise young people with an ideology advocating division, hatred and violence, and justifies criminal activity'.

This is one of the 'complex issues' that teachers have to deal with and is 'perhaps one of the most difficult'.

He said: 'Unfortunately, we have to recognise that a very small number of school children may already be at risk of being drawn into criminal activity inspired by extremists.

'This is not to suggest that radicalisation is taking place in our schools.

'However we must ensure that schools are equipped to face this challenge as much as any other.

'Extremists of every persuasion tend to paint the world as black and white, accentuating division and difference, and exploiting fears based on ignorance or prejudice.

'Education can be a powerful weapon against this.'

He added: 'Young people tell us that school is the place they feel most able to discuss difficult issues.

'So I would urge schools to allow space for debate and to think about how the curriculum can equip them to challenge extremist views.'

Officials say that lessons by imams could include 'discussing rights of neighbours, the sacredness of life or the importance of equal opportunities'.

Another suggestion is for imams to deliver 'faith based citizenship lessons' on Islam during Saturday classes, organised by extended schools.

Some schools provide extra specialist maths and science classes at the weekend.

But imam Haroon Patel, who has visited pupils at Valentines High School, Ilford, Essex, for the last five years, hit out at the proposals.

He said: 'I don't think this idea has been thought through because at the end of the day to avoid extremism you will need to do much more than sending imams into schools.

'Families need to be involved as well.'

The Government has previously warned that growing numbers of young Muslim women are being 'groomed' by extremists.

The disclosure was made in guidance designed to clamp down on extremism on university campuses.