A promise to tackle extremist ideology "at its source" was made by Mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith as he launched his plans to tackle home grown terrorism .

The Tory hopeful will back a team of Cyber Specials to tackle online radicalisation and crack down on the hate crime which he feels "seeks to divide London."

A new integration test would also be introduced for any public spending, which would mean any City Hall projects can only be put in place if they pass the test of benefiting all communities, rather than just one.

Should he become Mayor, Goldsmith's plans would also include lobbying the government to make sure universities are asked to report hate crime on an annual basis, so a strategy for tackling it can be put together.

He said: "The tragic attacks in Paris and Brussels have reminded us that that London is, and always will be, a top target for those with cancerous ideas and murderous intent.

“The first and gravest responsibility of the Mayor of London is to keep this city safe. That can only be achieved by working closely with the Government. So at its heart my Action Plan for Greater London will keep our streets safer and combat extremism."

He added: “When extremists challenge democracy, equality, freedom of speech and respect for minorities, they are trampling on the values which make London great.

“As Mayor, I will stand up for those values, for Londoners and a united London; and against extremists that threaten our city."

With objectives to protect community policing, Goldsmith has also guaranteed that the Met's entire force of 32,000 officers is safeguarded should he become Mayor.

'We should be under no illusion that London is a target for the extremists'

Goldsmith's announcement follows Labour candidate Sadiq Khan's open critcism of the government's anti-radicalisation Prevent programme and said it "left Londoners vulnerable".

In a direct challenge to Prime Minister David Cameron, Khan said: "We all know we must do more, we all know what we needs to be done, so why aren’t the Prime Minister and his top team doing it?”

He also warned that “in the aftermath of the terrible Paris attacks we should be under no illusion that London is a target for the extremists”.

The London Labour manifesto calls for the government to work with internet providers much closer to close down extremist websites and support mainstream Muslims who will speak out and challenge extremists.