What is it like to live in the most vilified jihadist hotbed in Europe?

A week on from the Paris terror attacks, the world’s attention has moved to a small neighbourhood three miles from the centre of Brussels.

Welcome to Molenbeek. Three miles away from the heart of Europe, Brussels, this district has become one of the most notorious places in the world.

Suspected ‘mastermind’ of the Paris terror attacks that killed 130 people, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was born in the densely populated district.

Two other suspects, brothers Salah and Ibrahim Abdeslam also grew up, studied and worked in Molenbeek.

The area has been linked to at least four terrorist attacks in two years; and its people now face a heavy police presence.

Belgian police stage a raid, in search of suspected muslim fundamentalists linked to the deadly attacks in Paris, in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek (Reuters)

On Thursday, Belgian authorities launched six raids in the Brussels area, including Molenbeek, in connection to suspected Paris attacker Bilal Hadfi.

The Independent spoke to residents about how these young men became radicalised and what can be done to stem further extremism.