Many feel threatened by Islam: poll

Most people in the UK feel threatened by Islam, a poll has revealed, after the Government launched a bid to tackle inter-faith tensions.

The YouGov survey for the Daily Telegraph found 53% were concerned about the impact of the religion - not just fundamentalist elements - up 21% from 2001.

There had also been a near doubling of the number agreeing that "a large proportion of British Muslims feel no sense of loyalty to this country and are prepared to condone or even carry out acts of terrorism".

A total of 18% backed the statement - compared with just one in 10 in the wake of the terrorist bombings in London last July.

And there was a seven point slump - to 16% - in those believing "practically all British Muslims are peaceful, law-abiding citizens who deplore terrorist acts as much as anyone else".

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly earlier launched a Commission on Integration and Cohesion as part of the Government's response to the July 7 bombings.

She called for an "honest debate" on how to best to bind communities and conceded multiculturalism may have led to isolated communities.

Her speech drew a cool response from some Muslim groups.

Youth organisation the Ramadhan Foundation criticised ministers for failing to recognise that integration was "a two-way street".

The YouGov poll surveyed 1,757 adults across Britain online between August 22 and August 24.