London, Sept 10 (ZEENEWS.COM) Some police officers and members of the media risk creating many more terrorists by demonizing British Muslims, a Muslim community leader warned in remarks published on Sunday.

Muhammad Abdul Bari, the secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, told The Sunday Telegraph that negative stereotyping could trigger a widespread backlash.

“There are a few bad apples in the Muslim community who are doing terrible acts and we want to root them out,� Bari told the weekly.

“But some police officers and sections of the media are demonising Muslims, treating them as if they’re all terrorists � and that encourages other people to do the same,� he said.

“If that continues, then Britain will have to deal with two million Muslim terrorists, 700,000 of them in London.�

He said British Muslims did not understand why the “whole of our diverse communities� are being targeted.

“If you attack a whole community, it becomes despondent and aggressive.�

Police have stepped up counter-terrorism efforts and the media have increased coverage since July 7, 2005 when four British Muslims killed 56 people, including themselves, in bombing attacks on London’s transport network.