People are living in fear as Britain faces its worst rioting in 13 years following anti-immigration protests triggered by a mass stabbing that resulted in the deaths of three young girls in Southport.
The unrest, driven by misinformation and anti-immigrant sentiment, has spread to various towns and cities, including Rotherham and Manchester. The violence erupted when masked anti-immigration protesters attacked a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham. Additional skirmishes occurred at far-right rallies in Liverpool, Manchester, and Bristol, where rioters clashed with police, threw bricks and bottles, and looted shops.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, addressing the cabinet, said, “This is something no one would have ever wanted to see. We must call it what it is: violent disorder, not protest, and it needs to be addressed as criminal activity.
“99.9 per cent of people across the country want their streets to be safe and to feel secure in their communities. We will take all necessary actions to restore order and end this violence.”
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also condemned the developments, saying, "Violent and criminal behaviour has no place in our society." He said that the "shocking scenes" on the streets of Britain have "nothing to do with the tragedy in Southport".
"The police have our full support to deal with these criminals swiftly, and they must face the full weight of the law," he added.
Several countries, including Nigeria, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, the UAE, and India, have issued safety warnings to their citizens in the UK due to the ongoing protests and riots. They have advised their nationals to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution.
Those aiding immigrants targeted
Reports indicate that 39 immigration centres, as well as law firms and individual solicitors, have been named in online discussions. The far-right protestors have also circulated the names and locations of the hotels housing the immigrants. The Law Society has written to the Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor, and Home Secretary to voice concerns that law firms and advice agencies may become targets for rioters this week.
"I have written to the Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor, and Home Secretary today, urging that the threats against the legal profession be taken with the utmost seriousness. An attack on our legal profession is an attack on our democratic values, and we are supporting our members who are being targeted," Society President Nick Emmerson stated.
In response, the government has suggested the establishment of overnight courts to handle the anticipated surge in cases resulting from the riots. However, Emmerson noted that the criminal defence profession is "depleted and overworked," warning that the goodwill of solicitors working additional antisocial hours is rapidly diminishing.
Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Director, said, “Targeting immigration services and their providers and users is the latest appalling development of the racist hate and violence that has erupted over these last few days. Access to legal and support services, and the freedom to deliver these are vital to safeguarding our basic rights.
“These are not the first incidents of violence towards immigration lawyers and people seeking asylum in recent years. Decades of anti-migrant rhetoric have created an environment in which racist vitriol, fake news, bigotry and violence all thrive. Serious reflection is now urgently required from political leaders and commentators regarding the language they use and the policies they promote.
“We need a fresh start, underpinned by basic human rights and a renewed determination to avoid the routine dehumanisation in so much recent public and political discourse.”
Community in fear
As the tensions escalate, the ethnic minority communities in the UK are facing a scary situation. For the far-right protesters, anyone who is not white is a target. There is no way to tell who’s an immigrant and who’s not.
Videos have surfaced showing brown and black individuals being attacked, with Muslim and ethnic minority-owned shops vandalised, asylum seeker hotels set on fire and defaced with Islamophobic graffiti, and racial slurs and Nazi salutes chanted by gangs. Incidents include an Asian man being dragged from his car and beaten in Hull and a black man attacked in a Manchester park.
A shopkeeper shared his "nightmare" experience after his convenience store was ransacked and looted during violent unrest in Southport following Monday's stabbings. Chanaka Balasuryla reported that more than £10,000 worth of stock was stolen from Windsor Mini Mart after "thugs" shattered the windows and forced their way in.
Balasuryla, who is of Sri Lankan descent, watched remotely via CCTV as his store was attacked, having gone home for the evening out of concern for the area's safety. The 47-year-old recounted, “It took them 10 or 15 minutes to break in. They were taking turns kicking in the glass.
"I also saw a fire outside. They set cardboard alight, and I feared they were going to burn the place down. I dialled 999 because people live upstairs.
"My kids saw it on CCTV too. They were screaming and crying, so I turned it off." Surveying the damage the next morning, the father of two described the scene: “It was horrendous. Everything was on the floor.
“They took everything. They were eating inside; crisps were all over the place. I don’t have insurance. It’s awful, but the community is going to help with fundraising. These people need to be punished."
An Indian-origin resident of York region told Asian Voice, “I have lived in the UK for nearly 35 years. Though I haven’t been bred in this country, this is my home, where I live with my children and husband. Every morning for the last three decades, I have gone for a run - come rain come shine.
But with the growing riots across the country and attacks towards the ethnic community makes me nervous to even walk alone on the streets. For the last few days I have stopped running or going out alone.”
One Asian family, targeted by senseless far-right extremists, revealed they are now too frightened to leave their home and are even contemplating relocating. Others shared their experiences of being caught in the rioting that affected towns like Southport, Rotherham, Middlesbrough, and Tamworth.
Currently, messages are making rounds on social media advising residents of areas like Harrow, Walthamstow, North Finchley, etc in London to tread safely under riot threats. Harrow Neighbourhood Superintendent, Zubin Writer has already issued a statement assuring citizens of an increased number of officers patrolling the streets.
Many community organisations have condemned these actions and have shown solidarity. Hindu Council UK, in a statement said, “As members of the Hindu community, we strongly condemn the senseless violence and rioting that have spread across the country, ostensibly in response to the horrific murders in Southport. These tragic events have been wrongly seized upon by those with malicious intent, using them as an excuse to spread fear and division, particularly against migrant, Black, and Asian communities. Such actions are deeply troubling and entirely against the principles of dharma, which guide us to live with righteousness, compassion, and respect for all beings.
“In Hinduism, the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam teaches us that the world is one family. We are all interconnected, and any harm inflicted on one part of our society is an injury to us all. The racism and hatred that have been unleashed in the wake of these murders are an affront to these values. They threaten to tear apart the very fabric of our diverse and pluralistic society, which is built on the principles of mutual respect and coexistence.” The organisation also cautioned the community to take steps for personal safety and emergency situations.
Zaki Cooper, Co-Chair of the British Indian Jewish Association, said, “We wholeheartedly condemn the violence that has taken place across the UK over the past few days.
“While this started with the repugnant knife attack at a dance workshop in Southport that left three children killed, it has spread into racist violence in towns and cities across the UK, fuelled by the far-right. Mosques have been targeted and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with our Muslim friends and fellow citizens. We are also horrified at the targeting of asylum-seekers and refugees.
“As minority communities in the UK, the British Jewish and British Indian communities are well aware of the dangers posed by the far-right. It seeks to divide our communities and sew hatred and discord. We are proud of Britain’s record of integrating different communities. We know that each community has responsibilities as well as rights. We stand together, at this anxious time, with all communities who subscribe to values of tolerance, non-violence and patriotism.”
Balwinder Rana, a veteran anti-racism activist and one of the founders of Sikhs Against the EDL has relaunched the group. He has been fighting for the ethnic minority communities for the past 55 years and feels that, “this is the first time I've seen anti-immigrant sentiment on this unprecedented scale. It's never happened before, not with this level of violence, the number of people involved, and in so many towns at the same time.
“The situation has become extremely dangerous. Currently, the attacks are primarily targeting Muslims. That's why I established Sikhs Against the EDL. The attackers are trying to be strategic by claiming they are only targeting Muslims, hoping to gain support from other communities.
“However, the real goal of these extremists is to drive all of us out of the country, regardless of our background. This is a clear escalation, and we need to mount a strong response.” A part of the Stand up to Racism, Balwinder and other community members are planning counter protests.
He also thinks that many Tory politicians have a significant responsibility in this situation. She said, “For years, we've been battling against racism and fascism, and our efforts have paved the way for these individuals. If it weren't for our struggles, we might have been expelled from this country long ago.
“These MPs, many of whom are wealthy and never participated in these battles, are now exploiting our struggles for their gain. Figures like Priti Patel and Suella Braverman, among others, have used their positions to blame asylum seekers, which in reality means targeting Black people, Asian people, and Muslims. They use asylum seekers as a scapegoat to further their own agendas, ignoring the racial undertones of their rhetoric.”
The Labor Party, on the other hand, is equally disappointing according to Balwinder. “They are trying to win over racist voters by avoiding clear statements on the issues at hand. They care more about electoral gains than addressing the truth. This lack of courage to confront racism head-on is pervasive among many Labor MPs, except for those on the left who are genuinely aware of and support our cause”, he said.
Muslim community leaders have called for restraint as tensions rise and there are increasing signs of a willingness to use violence to protect mosques, businesses, and homes in response to a week of far-right aggression. On Monday, several hundred Muslim men, some wearing balaclavas and masks, assembled in the Bordesley area of Birmingham. Their gathering was a defensive measure against threats of imminent attacks from the English Defence League (EDL) and other far-right activists that had been circulating on social media.
As Asian Voice went to press, over one hundred prominent figures—including politicians, musicians, campaigners, trade unionists, authors, and other notable individuals—had united to sign a statement launching a campaign against the far right.
Published in the Mirror, the statement features endorsements from Paloma Faith, MP Diane Abbott, drag queen Bimini Bon Boulash, Kate Nash, MP Jeremy Corbyn, Billy Bragg, and the founders of the Anti-Nazi League. It also includes support from trade union general secretaries such as Sharon Graham, Daniel Kebede, and Mick Lynch.
Additionally, the Prime minister has promised communities “will be safe” following a Cobra meeting on Tuesday evening and said those taking part in unrest will “feel the full force of the law”. Starmer added he was expecting “substantive sentencing before the end of this week”.
More than 400 people have been arrested in connection with rioting over the last week. There have been around a hundred charges in the wake of the spread of violent unrest, according to the director of public prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson.
“We are all simply categorised as immigrants”
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants(JCWI) is dedicated to confronting policies that result in discrimination, destitution, and the denial of fundamental rights, with their commitment extending to providing essential legal advice services to those in greatest need. According to Executive Director of the organisation, Yasmin Halima, while the tragedy in Southport is deeply horrifying, shocking, and saddening, the current response to this tragedy is perplexing and troubling; it defies understanding. “This is the main issue I’ve been grappling with—how can such a reaction follow such a devastating event?”, she said.
The horrific images of the current riots have evoked memories for Yasmin, who had witnessed the National Front marching past her front door. “Now, decades later, I have a daughter who is a second-generation immigrant, yet outside our front door, we are witnessing the same troubling patterns.”
She explained her point-of-view, stating, “It's crucial to remember that we have endured and continue to endure these challenges. This will resonate with people from my generation as well as older and younger generations because, despite many changes, much remains the same. For instance, my daughter is a journalist, writer, and teacher, but when she’s on the street, she is still perceived as an immigrant. As far as the far right and others with no race consciousness are concerned, we are all simply categorised as immigrants.”
Her message for those who believe that there is an easy pathway for migrants is that the reality is quite different. “This situation is where our anger should be directed. Why should families endure such hardship when we are one of the wealthiest countries in the world, with significant wealth disparities? It is unacceptable for anyone to be living in such conditions, and we must confront and address this injustice”, she said.
“Imagine being a migrant who has fled torture and persecution, and has risked everything—putting their and their child's life in perilous circumstances. After enduring such desperate measures, these individuals arrive here only to face firebombing, attacks, and a constant sense of insecurity. They are already living in dire conditions, with their asylum applications often stalled for years, lacking the right to work or access public resources. Despite their hardships, many migrants are highly qualified, trained, and ready to contribute positively to society. They provide essential services, such as care for the elderly and other vulnerable groups”, she further added.
Yasmin also addressed the issue of misinformation that catapulted the whole issue, explaining, “It's important to recognise that those spreading and consuming this false information often don’t care about the truth. They aren’t interested in verifying their sources. While we need to be concerned with the accuracy of the information we provide and work to counter false narratives, it's evident that many people involved aren’t motivated by truth.”
Yasmin said that while it remains the role of the police to protect all communities, we need to manage this discussion carefully and continue to address the broader concerns of the tense relationship between communities and the police.
She said, “What isn't helpful is when the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner apologising and then referencing "mass immigration." Such language is not constructive. The police have a critical responsibility right now—whether it’s those on the streets or the leadership.
“Law and order is important, but they are not sufficient on their own. There needs to be more engagement and dialogue directly within communities, not just in Parliament.”
Britain's former Head of Counter Terrorism, Neil Basu, in a conversation with Sky News said, “Some of the offenses we've discussed, such as violent disorder and public order violations, include many serious crimes against individuals, some of which carry significant sentences.
“However, certain actions, like attempting to set fire to mosques with worshippers inside, clearly cross the line into terrorist activities. Although proving ideological intent in terrorism cases can be challenging, I believe these incidents should serve as a warning to those considering involvement in such crimes. They are evolving into a national security issue. My successors will need to work closely with prosecutors to examine each offense in detail.”
While the concept of 'two-tier policing' has become a contentious topic in the UK, with some claiming that right-wing protesters are treated more leniently than others during riots, Neil doesn’t think that is the case. “I am very familiar with the prescription process, which is incredibly detailed and has a very high bar. Historically, reaching that bar has been nearly impossible. While far-right ideologies can be perceived as legitimate political views, the key issue lies in unlawful, violent protests and the escalation of attacks and criminality, which shift these actions into the realm of extreme right-wing terrorism.
“We have previously prescribed organisations, such as when Amber Rudd did so with National Action in 2016. That prescription was effective in dismantling the group and preventing its influence. Moving forward, I am confident that my successors will scrutinise individuals and organisations involved in organising these events to determine if they meet the criteria for prescription. If they do, I expect them to present a case to the Home Secretary for further action.”
Why are the MPs quiet?
A few weeks ago, the whole country was hailing the current parliament for its diversity but currently most of the ethnic minority MPs have chosen to stay silent about the situation.
Asian Voice reached out to at least five MPs and only one chose to respond with a statement. Uma Kumaran, representing Stratford and Bow, in her statement to the newsweekly, said,
“We are all feeling anxiety and worry about the disturbing scenes of racist rioting we have seen. These are deeply concerning times, especially for Black and Asian people across Britain. Decent British people, of all ethnicities, will be appalled at the violent riots we are seeing.
“I am very clear, if you attack someone because of the colour of their skin, or religion, you are a racist. There is no excuse for the scenes of far-right thuggery that we are seeing. I have been in touch with my local Borough Commander and with the Council. All mosques in the constituency, in Newham and Tower Hamlets have been offered enhanced police patrols, with the Home Secretary providing emergency security right across the country. I have asked to be kept updated throughout.
“Those responsible for this hate-fuelled violence will face the full force of the law. The Home Office have issued a clear statement to those who engage in violent protests, they will face the full force of the law with tough prison sentences: up to 10 years for rioting, up to 5 years for violent disorder, up to 7 years for inciting racial hatred and up to 10 years for criminal damage.
“As an MP, I am in a position of huge responsibility, both to my constituents and also as a representative of the British Parliament. It is on me, and all of us in Parliament to call this out. The only way to defeat this hate is to tackle it head on.
“My heart goes out to the communities that have been targeted, and to the police officers protecting them.”
In the face of the current extreme situations, ethnic minority MPs must take a stand. They represent not only their constituencies but also the minority communities, and they are well-acquainted with their lived experiences and the challenges these communities are facing.
