Bracknell MP Peter Swallow has said he ‘utterly condemns’ violence from ‘a very small group of far-right thugs’ following riots across England over the weekend.
He added that he has ‘reached out to Bracknell’s local Muslim community to offer my support’.
A spokesperson from Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society said that the ongoing violence was ‘very disturbing’, leaving the Muslim community feeling ‘unsafe’.
It comes after protests organised by the far-right took place up and down the country following the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport on Monday, July 29.
Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old British citizen born in Cardiff to parents from Rwanda, was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged.
Misinformation circulating on social media about his immigration status led to him being publicly identified by the court.
In a statement for the News, Mr Swallow said: “I utterly condemn the recent violence carried out by a very small group of far-right thugs.
“The Prime Minister has made it clear that anyone committing a criminal act will feel the full force of the law, whether their actions take place in the streets or online.”
He continued: “In a democratic society, it is vital we protect the ability of citizens to raise concerns and debate important issues. But what we have seen in some towns and cities in the past week is not the legitimate expression of a belief - it is criminality and intimidation, and it must stop.”
Thousands of people attended a vigil for the three girls in Southport on Wednesday, July 31.
But less than two hours later, hundreds gathered outside a nearby mosque, throwing bricks, bottles and other missiles. At least one policeman was injured, and a police van was set on fire.
In Rotherham, rioters’ broke windows and entered a hotel housing asylum seekers. In Liverpool, a library and a food bank were set alight by protesters.
In Belfast, a man in his 50s is in a serious condition in hospital after what police are treating as a racially motivated attack.
While the southeast has seen little disruption, a protest was planned in High Wycombe over the weekend. But reporters found despite concerns from local authorities and faith leaders, mostly peaceful protesters took to the streets. In
The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to take ‘all necessary action’ to bring disorder to an end, and said it needs to be treated as ‘criminal activity’.
More than 400 people have been arrested following the riots, and 100 people charged.
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