GORDON Brown recently announced details of new security measures needed to root out the threat of terrorism and strengthen local communities to tackle extremism and prevent it gaining a foothold.

Over the next few weeks we'll be publishing a National Security Strategy and drawing up a Counter Terrorism Bill.

We set out a number of measures to be taken to improve security in public places, such as the construction of "robust barriers" and parking exclusion zones as well as upgrading the blast resistance of buildings such as train station, airports, hospitals and sports venues.

Plans also exist to provide detailed guidance to businesses, such as theatres and restaurants, and training for civilian staff from a team of 160 counter-terrorism officers. The security budget will increase from £2.5 billion to £3.5 billion by 2011.

In his statement, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of engaging with communities and vulnerable young people to counter extremist influences. The battle for "hearts and minds" will require action through schools, community, sports and faith groups across the country. He also gave details of a new 25,000-strong Border Agency with the power to detain people on suspicion of criminal activity including terrorism.

I think there could also be a case for extending the period suspected terrorists could be held without charge from the current limit of 28 days. We need to guard our freedoms and liberties carefully. After all, the British tradition of civil liberties is one of the most valuable aspects of life in Britain. But, these investigations are hugely complex, the people arrested often have multiple identities, false passports and many bank accounts and the investigations can often involve international cooperation.

They can involve thousands of documents and the investigations inevitably take a great deal of time before charges can be brought.

That is why I think it might be necessary and allowable to go beyond 28 days. The shadow Home Secretary has said previously that he recognised that it might be necessary to go beyond 28 days in certain circumstances. Liberty has published documentation saying that it could envisage going beyond 28 days in certain circumstances as well.

But I want to know what the people I represent think. I want my constituents to give me their views on this important question, which you can do by commenting here or sending me an email at austini@parliament.uk.