Riot squad: police came under attack from a far-right mob in Plymouth last night, one of dozens of outbreaks of Islamophobic and racist riots around the country in the past week
Croydon police are taking action to support and reassure communities, while the council has staff visiting asylum-seekers staying in local hotels to carry out safety checks and ensure people’s well-being, as authorities in the borough prepare for any outbreaks of race-hate riots seen elsewhere across the country.
That’s according to an internal council memo issued today by Mayor Jason Perry and Katherine Kerswell, the council chief exec, and seen by Inside Croydon.
The memo distributed on the council’s intraweb comes as some in Croydon’s Muslim communities report concerns about Islamophobic graffiti being daubed on walls at locations associated with their religion, and suggestions that some are preparing for gatherings of right-wing hate mobs in the town centre tomorrow. In their council memo, Perry and Kerswell claim to have received no such reports.
Zero tolerance: Croydon Mayor Jason Perry
In a joint statement signed by the leaders of the four political parties represented at Croydon Town Hall , Perry together with Stuart King (Labour), Esther Sutton (Green) and Claire Bonham (LibDem), it is clumsily phrased, talking about how they are “shocked and saddened” by the media coverage, rather than the public disorder of itself.
“We will not stand by and allow violence, intimidation or any other form of criminal behaviour in Croydon,” the joint statement says.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime.”
Maintaining that they are unaware of any reports of mob gatherings, Croydon’s politicians say, “We must remain alert, vigilant and report any issues to the police.”
Nationally, more than 400 people have been arrested in the past week following outbreaks of civil unrest around the country. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said those behind violent disorder will rapidly face “the full force of the law”.
Justice Minister Heidi Alexander said there was a “prison place waiting” for everyone involved in the violence, while prosecutors are considering terrorism offences for some suspects.
The director of public prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, told the BBC that offenders “must know that they are not safe and there is nowhere to hide”, as his department considers the extradition of social media influencers said to have had a part in stirring up unrest from abroad.
Concern has been mounting about extreme right-wing social media influencers, including the founder of the English Defence League, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, who did a bunk to Cyprus this week to dodge a date in court.
Parkinson also said that some of those arrested may face terrorism charges.
“Where you have organised groups planning activity for the purposes of advancing [an] ideology … planning really, really serious disruption then yes, we will consider terrorism offences,” he said.
Earlier today, the Crown Prosecution Service charged a 28-year-old man with posting content online that was allegedly intended to stir up racial hatred in relation to the violence disorder – the first such charge in relation to the clashes.
On alert: council staff in Croydon, and the public, have been asked to be alert for reports of unrest that could lead to scenes such as these seen in the past week
The police across England have also begun to mobilise units of trained riot police.
Today, in the message to Croydon Council staff from Perry and Kerswell, they said: “Over the last week you will have seen the shocking reports of riots and violent disorder in parts of the UK.
“All forms of violence and discrimination are completely unacceptable. No one should have to live in fear or be under threat in the places where they should feel safe.
“We have always said that we will not tolerate hate crime of any form in Croydon. We are absolutely committed to that. We are proud of the borough’s communities and must stand together against hate.
“As an authority, we are working with the police to monitor the situation. They have confirmed that there is nothing to suggest that we will see violent protests or disorder in Croydon. They have also given assurance that if anything were to change, they have plans in place.
“Local policing teams are taking action to support and reassure our communities.
“At the same time, we also have officers out visiting asylum seeking and Homes for Ukraine residents based in hotels – carrying out safety checks and checking in on people’s wellbeing…
“The police have stressed that if you experience any form of hate crime or have any concerns, please report them immediately.
“Similarly, if you are worried about anything at work, or duties you carry out as part of your role, please tell your manager so we can put measures in place to support you.
“It’s important that we stand alongside our communities and partners to call out hate and make it clear it has no place in Croydon.”
Read more: Met Police statement: Ready for rate hate events tomorrow
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