Written by David Weaver, Chair of Operation Black Vote (OBV)
Britain is on the brink. Racial tensions are at boiling point, and without immediate action, we risk descending into chaos. As Chair of Operation Black Vote (OBV), I am issuing an urgent call to Prime Minister Keir Starmer: Address the escalating hate crimes now or face the dire consequences. Such is our concern that we have written to the Prime Mister today outlining our grave concerns about the potential for increasing number of race riots in the UK and the consequent threat to life, business and the wider community.
Tragedy in Southport
It began with the unthinkable. In Southport, three innocent children lost their lives at a dance class, triggering a wave of violent race riots targeting a local mosque. Misinformation spread like wildfire, leading to rampant destruction, injuries to police officers, and damage to homes and businesses. This is not an isolated incident – it's part of a terrifying trend.
We have also seen violence in Knowsley in 2023, when Merseyside, asylum seekers at the Suites Hotel were attacked with rocks and fireworks, revealing the deep- seated hostility towards migrants. In Peterborough, the significant Muslim population has complained of enduring constant Islamophobia, with many incidents unreported to the police and authorities due to fear.
Theses incidents extend beyond England and Wales. Recently in South Belfast, Black people have faced multiple hate-motivated attacks on their homes. Their windows have been smashed, eggs thrown at their door, and they've endured relentless racial abuse.
Forced to Flee in Northern Ireland Takura Makoni, a man who has called Northern Ireland home for over 20 years, was forced to move after his house was vandalised with racist graffiti. Despite feeling welcomed by his immediate community, the actions of a few hate-filled individuals left him with no choice but to seek new accommodation. Makoni's plight is a stark reminder that racial intimidation is alive and well in our society.
And this week alone in London, Hartlepool and Sunderland and in other areas around the country have escalated into further violence. These shocking incidents are not isolated. They are part of a broader, alarming trend of increasing race hate crimes and the radicalisation of the extreme right.
Today the genuine fears, concerns and insecurity among Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities, particularly Muslims, are profound and growing. The fact is that today our communities are now living in fear.
Recorded racial and religious hate crimes have more than doubled since 2013 with Muslims being the most targeted group. Research from the Runnymede Trust and Hope Not Hate highlights the persistent and evolving nature of Islamophobia and the growing threat of far-right extremism. It is vital that every time there is a serious crime, and online misinformation campaign that falsely targets Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities, and asylum seekers, the Government should have a communications plan to act immediately to counteract this viral racism.
The racial motivated targeting of supposed ‘suspects’ and the malicious accusations against whole communities constitute criminal racist propaganda designed to specifically incite racist and religiously motivated violence. This dangerous trend means that our communities are under constant threat malicious smear accusations that gain traction in a heartbeat.
These viral campaigns orchestrated by the extreme right seeking to deliberately exploit local criminality, with the sole aim of exacerbating an already volatile situation.
We fear the potential for further violent attacks on Police officers members of the community, attacks on local business, peoples home and religious buildings. Further increasing anecdotal evidence from our communities around the country further illustrates the widespread fear and anxiety.
Residents report a palpable sense of unease, with many afraid to leave their homes or engage in community activities. This pervasive fear is tearing at the fabric of our society and must be addressed immediately.
Not since the 1919 Race Riots have Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities felt so threatened by the potential for violent racist and religious attacks, especially those living in isolated areas. We believe there could be loss of life and further violence further and immediate action is not taken.
The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. The fear and insecurity felt by many in our communities are profound and without immediate and decisive action, we believe we risk further unrest and potential loss of life.
OBV’s Demands for Immediate Action:
1. Rapid Policing Review and Risk Assessment: We need an immediate review of local policing strategies and a thorough risk assessment of vulnerable communities, events and locations.
2. National Police Chiefs Council and Metropolitan Mayors Report: An urgent national report detailing perceived risks and collaborative efforts to challenging race hate crimes and racist attitudes in general.
3. Increased Investment in Community Protection: More resources for community security and anti-racism work for potential vulnerable community and targets such as, Mosques. Asylum hostels and community centres and religious and cultural events.
4. Development of a Critical Incident Framework: Clear local and national guidance on how to combat and respond to racist propaganda that falsely targets our communities.
5. National Race Hate, Policing and Reassurance Framework: A comprehensive framework to tackle disinformation, racist propaganda and hate speech.
We support the Prime Minister initial interventions However we need the PM to take swift and comprehensive additional actions to fully ensure the safety and security of all citizens. The government must mirror the commendable actions it takes when Jewish Synagogues are under attack in response to growing incidents of violent antisemitism.
Operation Black Vote is committed to working with the government to create a safer, more inclusive Britain. We need an inclusive vison of Britain that rejects the politics of hatred and division.
With the country facing severe economic challenges and the propensity for racism and racist violence to increase during economic downturns it is vital that the 14 years spent by the previous government in creating a truly hostile environment for Black, Asian, ethnic minority and asylum seekers is now recognised as an existential threat and a clear strategy is put in place to challenge its poisonous legacy, the consequences of which were seeing play out on our streets today, with devastating consequences.
Lets hope the urgency is recognised because we need action now – before it's too late.
