Stop Hate UK’s Response to Incidents August 2024

At Stop Hate UK we were distraught when we heard the news about the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice Dasilva Aguiar in Southport on 29^th July 2024.  The Criminal Justice System will now take the necessary actions to bring the perpetrator to justice and hold them to account for their actions.   

Words are inadequate to explain how we all feel. 

However, in the days that followed the murders and the injuries to the other children and adults we have watched, alongside you, all the violence unfold in our towns and cities. 

Shops have been looted, property and businesses damaged and violence against police and others in the name of revenge or protest. 

We should ask ourselves how this can be seen as revenge or protest and how this helps the families and communities directly affected in any way. 

Innocent people’s livelihoods and sense of safety have been taken away from them by these acts.  Whole communities are now at high risk of harm, mosques need protecting, people are scared to go out.  We can also predict that other marginalised and minoritised communities may soon become targets for the aggression of the gangs and rioters that are part of this. 

The aftermath of the murders was predictable because it was clear that the Far Right and other actors were manipulating the situation and using it to their own ends.  The riots appear to be coordinated and are likely to continue.   

We implore all communities to work together for our safety and wellbeing and to show their abhorrence for the rioters and their violence. 

Our 24-hour helpline is open for support should you experience or witness Hate Crime or incidents.  If people are being targeted because of their identity, we are here to help. 

Please call on 0800 138 1625 

It is also important that people carefully consider any comment or sharing of comments on social media platforms that may be construed as inflammatory and inciteful and be very watchful over our children as they may inadvertently be caught up within the criminal actions of their peers and be deeply affected by what they are reading and seeing.   

Stop Hate UK will work with the Government, Local Authorities, Police forces and our communities in any way we can to protect and support our citizens. 

If you wish to know more about the work of Stop Hate UK, please visit our website www.stophateuk.org