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Edmonton police discuss local radicalization after RCMP warns of alleged recruiter

West Edmonton Mall was listed as a target in a recent video allegedly released by Somali-based extremist group al-Shabab. YouTube

EDMONTON — Edmonton police are discussing the potential of radicalization after receiving information from the RCMP about an alleged recruiter in the city.

“We take all of this obviously very seriously. We work very closely with our partners in federal and other police agencies to ensure the public safety,” says EPS Insp. Dan Jones on Wednesday.

Edmonton police say they don’t have any information about the alleged Edmonton ISIS recruiter, and the RCMP has yet to provide any details.

WATCH: Edmonton Somali group worries about allegations of ISIS recruitment

“I can tell you we’ll be cooperating with all agencies and if there’s anything we can do to help, we’ll do it, but I can’t really give you any comment on that specifically right now,” Jones says.

Edmonton police won’t say if they’re investigating any alleged cases of radicalization in the city. But Jones says police are taking a number of pre-emptive measures including working with community groups such as the Chief’s Advisory Council, Community Liaison Committees, and Edmonton’s youth.

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“As well as making sure that the general populous and the general public is aware that this isn’t a race or religion issue, this is a terrorist or criminal behaviour issue,” explains Jones.

The news of a possible Edmonton ISIS recruiter comes days after a video surfaced allegedly from the Somali terror group Al-Shabab issuing a threat to shopping malls in Europe, the U.S. and Canada, including West Edmonton Mall.

READ MORE: Police say ‘no imminent threat’ after West Edmonton Mall named as possible terror target

If you are concerned with a person’s sudden change in behaviour and deem it to be suspicious, report it to your local police authority or the RCMP immediately.

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