It’s day six of riots erupting in several cities since three girls were killed in Southport. Mosques, hotels, and police have been attacked in what seems to be the worst form of rioting in the UK in years.
This violent chaos has been triggered by misinformation on social media claiming that the Southport girls’ attacker was a Muslim who had arrived in Britain illegally on a small boat and was on a terror watch-list. In fact, the 17-year-old charged with the crime was born to Rwandan parents in Britain.
As police try to restore calm and peace with close to 400 arrests made so far, rumours of further violence continue to spread.
Several Bradford residents have reached out to Asian Standard, fearful of a potential appearance from the English Defence League (EDL) threatening to disrupt the peace. Rumours have been circulating on WhatsApp and social media about a planned visit from the EDL in Bradford since Monday morning.
However, as we head late into Monday afternoon, there seems to be no sight of any groups with local leaders revealing that intelligence indicates the EDL will not be visiting Bradford. Nevertheless, residents are being urged to stay vigilant and let the police handle any situation that may arise.
Sir Keir Starmer has held an emergency Cobra meeting after far-right mobs carried out racist attacks and set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers in Rotherham and Tamworth. Speaking after the meeting, the Prime Minister said, “We will have a standing army of specialist public duty officers to ensure we have enough officers to deal with this where we need them. We will ramp up criminal justice. There have already been hundreds of arrests, some have appeared in court this morning. I have asked for early consideration of the earliest naming and identification of those involved who will feel the full force of the law.”
Bradford Council for Mosques has released a statement reassuring the community that their “safety and the protection of our Mosques remain our top priority.” They detailed their active collaboration with West Yorkshire Police and Bradford Council to monitor and address any potential threats.
Chief Inspector for Neighbourhoods Bash Anwar also provided a statement: “We are aware of rumours of the far right attending Bradford, causing concern within our communities. The information at the moment informs us that there is nothing to suggest the far right are planning to come to Bradford. The Bradford Council of Mosques is working closely with West Yorkshire Police to ensure the latest information is shared with relevant partners. Bradford Police have significant additional resources providing extra visibility, reassurance, and support if required. The Police are also continually engaging with places of worship to provide extra reassurance to our communities.”
“We urge everyone to remain calm yet vigilant during this time. Please stay aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately. Your cooperation is crucial in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all. Should you have any concerns or need further reassurance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us or the local authorities.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin told Asian Standard, “We’re working hard with our partners across the region to make West Yorkshire a safer, fairer place. I want to thank our community members and emergency service workers who help us achieve that day in, day out. Those who seek to stoke division are not welcome. Our diversity is our strength and I know the people of West Yorkshire are decent, honest folk who pull together for the sake of others.”
Bradford’s Independent Councillors have also released a statement stating that they are “deeply outraged and gravely concerned by the recent surge of violence by far-right groups across the UK.”
A spokesperson for Bradford Independent Group told Asian Standard: “These brutal acts attack our core values of humanity, freedom, and respect. We vehemently condemn those who seek to sow division and fear within our community.
In a statement the Independents have demanded immediate action from “the council against far-right violence”. They demand that the council:
- Implement all necessary measures to ensure the safety of every citizen.
- Increase Police presence in vulnerable areas, places of worship especially around Mosques and Muslim neighbourhoods.
- Enhance community engagement to strengthen solidarity across Bradford.
- We also urge the council to work closely with agencies to curb the spread of misinformation and fake news on social media platforms.
Meanwhile campaign groups like Stand up to Racism have been holding peaceful protests to counter act the far right. A rally also took place in Bradford over the weekend, were more than a dozen people protested against Islamophobia and the far right.
Since the threat of an EDL visit readers have been sharing their concerns with Asian Standard, so we have put some quick tips and guidance to until calm and peace is restored.
Community Safety Guidance Note
In light of potential threats from rioters, please take the following precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of our community:
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with local news and reliable sources for any developments.
- Be Vigilant: Remain alert for any unusual or suspicious activity in your area.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Notify the police immediately if you observe any signs of potential violence or disruption.
- Stay Safe: If you hear rumours of rioters approaching, avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors if possible.
- Support Each Other: Check on neighbours, especially those who may feel particularly vulnerable.
- Emergency Contacts: Keep emergency numbers handy and ensure your phone is charged.
- Remain Calm: Stay calm and composed and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Our message to our readers, particularly from the Muslim community and minority, ethnic, asylum and refugee communities, please be vigilant, check in on each other and be in the know that not everyone in this wonderful country of ours is filled with hate and together will be working to stand against and form of hate and division.
