LAST week’s attack in Westminster was a reminder that we all have a role to play in the fight against terrorism.

PC Keith Palmer, MP Tobias Ellwood, and Darlington boxing coach Tony Davis, were among the everyday heroes rightly praised for the courage they displayed in facing an horrific situation when many people’s reaction would have been to run the other way.

The broader challenge we face in tackling the root causes of militant extremism and radicalisation needs the involvement of almost every part of society - social media providers, teachers, parents, employers and the prison service.

No firm evidence has emerged to prove that Westminster attacker Khalid Masood had been radicalised during a spell in prison but fears are mounting about the threat of criminals being brought under the influence of hardened jihadists while behind bars.

This has driven the government to plan specialist units at high security sites, such as HMP Frankland near Durham, where the most dangerous terrorists will be isolated from the general prison population - despite risks the UK could be accused of creating its version of Guantanamo Bay.

The vast majority of Muslims who live in Britian are law-abiding people who are as horrified as anyone by the atrocities that twisted extremists carry out in the name of Islam. 

Of the 12,300 Muslims in British prisons, only 131 are convicted terrorists, but they make up a hardcore who could be influencing impressionable and potentially violent convicts.

For this new strategy to work it is vital that ministers learn lessons from the Maze and Maghaberry prisons in Northern Ireland which became hothouses that allowed terrorists to create operational command structures. Moving the most difficult prisoners from one jail to another on a regular basis will be essential to prevent this from happening.

Some people may feel uncomfortable with the idea of high risk jihadists being imprisoned in County Durham, but showing our support for the plan is part of the wider challenge facing us all to help halt the spread of terror.