Following the tragedy in Southport and far-right extremist violence.
As with all people across the country, in Newham we are pained about the deaths of three precious children: Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar killed in the horrendous attack in Southport last Monday. Our heartfelt condolences to their parents and loved ones burdened with a pain and grief that is unimaginable.
Our prayers and thoughts also for the eight children and two adults who were seriously injured and hurt during the unfathomable attack at the Hart Space dance class; and for their families and the wider community in Southport.
Here in Newham, we’ve also witnessed this past week the actions of far-right rioters bringing violence to towns and cities across the country. We have watched with horror buildings set ablaze; mosques under attack and needing protection; carnage in neighbourhoods; police being targeted; and people of colour being viciously attacked under the guise of opportunistic and misplaced protest.
With 100 arrests so far, we’re thankful for the response of the police as it’s clear that the mindless criminality happening seeks to divide communities through hate, fear and disorder. It is also anti-Muslim, Islamophobic and anti-immigrant hate fuelled violence driven by far-right extremists, their bankrupt ideologies and dangerous figureheads.
I know it is causing worry, anxiety and fear amongst our Muslim communities in Newham, and is deeply concerning for all of us who reject hate and extremism in our borough.
That is why over this past week in Newham, all our mosques have been contacted with enhanced patrols actioned across all mosque locations in our borough by the police and the Council’s community safety team. They will continue monitoring the local situation, assessing all and any risks facing Muslim and faith communities in Newham.
Myself and the cabinet member for community safety, Cllr Amar Virdee, are also in touch with mosque representatives with meetings being arranged to provide reassurance. We will robustly support any measures to safeguard all our mosques and places of worship in our borough.
We’ll always remain vigilant against any acts of extremist far right hate, threat or violence against places of worship and all our communities; and we’ll continue to place a premium on bringing people together in solidarity.
