Putney MP Calls for Swift and Firm Justice for Racist Rioters
Fleur Anderson those involved must face full force of law
Rioters targeted building where they believed there were asylum seekers inside
August 9, 2024
Putney MP Fleur Anderson has expressed her horror at the outbreak of racist violence and Islamophobia across the country, led by far-right organisations and called for those involved to face the full force of the law.
Nearly 500 arrests have been made since the violence began, after the perpetrator of a knife attack in Southport was wrongly named as a Muslim teenager on social media.
The false information was spread online, with gangs attacking Mosques and people of colour on the street. Mobs also tried to set fire to hotels where they believed asylum seekers to be living.
After fears that there would be further attacks on Wednesday night (7 August), thousands of anti-fascism protestors took to the street to show their opposition to the racist violence in their communities.
Ms Anderson said, “I have been utterly appalled by the racist violence and Islamophobia we have seen on our streets across the country. Thank you to our police, to our faith leaders, those working within our court system, our health professionals and our community as a whole.
“In Putney we are a modern, multicultural community that values our diversity. We look after one another and will never be made to feel unsafe on our streets by violent racists. Those who have participated in this appalling behaviour must face the full force of the law.”
The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned those taking part in the riots that they will regret their actions and sentences of up to three years have already been awarded to those convicted of violent unrest.
He has also ordered new protections for Mosques, including rapidly deployed emergency security, and announced that thousands of public reserve police would be stationed in strategic locations across the country.
Ms Anderson credited these measures with quelling the riots and added that she is in regular contact with the police, local faith leaders and the Mosque in her constituency.
She added, “These attacks on our unity will not weaken us, but we must reflect on how we arrived here and how as a society we address the appalling events we have witnessed this week.”
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