''<p class="content">Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered law enforcement officers to suppress extremist activities as the number of crimes increased five percent in the country last year. <br />''<br />''Xinhua news agency reported that Putin said at the annual expanded meeting of the Interior Ministry Board that countering extremism is one of the ministry's priorities. <br />''<br />''According to him, some groups incited ethnic and religious intolerance, organised unauthorised public events and attempted to recruit young people via social networks. <br />''<br />''He said that any illegal action aimed at splitting society and destabilising the situation is a serious threat to the country's security.</p>