Terrorist groups are targeting young “vulnerable” people - and the well educated are just as susceptible to radicalisation as those from disadvantaged backgrounds, experts have warned.

Officers from Thames Valley Police’s anti-terrorism unit, Prevent, were invited to an event designed to discuss how to safeguard vulnerable young people from the rise of extremism.

Organised by the Council for Christian Muslim Relations (CCMR), the event was held yesterday at Oakley Hall, in Castle Street, and attracted dozens of people.

Prolific speakers talked about how best to tackle the “high risk” category that Wycombe shares with many London boroughs.

Members of the public were also invited to share their views on what could be done to protect young people.

The decision to host the event comes after ISIS recruit and former Wycombe resident, Omar Hussain, appeared on Newsnight in August, laughing about beheading enemies.

A few weeks later the revelation came that counter terrorism officers were due to visit the Royal Grammar School after it was believed that former student, 18-year-old Shabazz Suleman, had also joined the militant group.

Jeff Singleton, High Wycombe Prevent Engagement Officer, told the CCMR meeting that High Wycombe shares the “high risk” category with a large number of London boroughs.

He added: “That is not to say that people in High Wycombe are particularly at risk... but there is concerns about radicalisation and people being drawn into terrorism in High Wycombe.”

He drew upon the two examples where High Wycombe people had travelled to Syria for Jihad.

PEO Singleton said: “ISIS are looking at young people in particular. They see them as most vulnerable.

“(Some people think that) those most articulate and intelligent are not going to be vulnerable to messages put out by extremists but that is not the case. There are vulnerable people even within the better educated.”

He pointed to the “disbelief” amongst many that those who are well educated and have "the advantages of everything that life has to offer" would be radicalised.

The process by which those become radicalised has also changed over the years, police believe.

PEO Singleton said that the “radicalisation process is quicker”, with social media and easy travel to areas such as Turkey speeding up what was once a long process.

He said that those who have been in talks with terrorist groups “aren’t going to shout it from the rooftops” and that ISIS will encourage young people not to talk with their parents.

After PEO Singleton addressed members, a general discussion was introduced, with many suggesting that communication was key in helping to protect young people from radicals.

Yesterday's event was organised by Wycombe District Councillor, Chauhdry Shafique.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Shafique said: “In the post-9/11 7/7 world, this is one of the most critical issues of our time, really.

“If we can’t get ourselves to live together in peace and harmony in mutual respect then of course we have lost everything and we mustn’t let that happen.”

Councillor Shafique said the comments put forward at the meeting will be used to produce a document listing the best ways young people can be safeguarded in the area.