THE REGION’S police force has spoken out in a bid to reassure residents following recent scenes of political unrest across the country.
While the protests and incidents of violent disorder in England have yet to spill over into West Mercia’s policing region, the force understand local communities will be worried.
Fears among communities are centred around recent protests which have descended into criminal behaviour and violence.
In the wake of these recent incidents, chief superintendent Edd Williams said: “The public can and should be confident we are working hard to keep our communities safe.
“We do not underestimate the fear and worry the violence in other parts of the country has caused and know these groups do not speak for our communities.”
The initial protests were in response to the brutal attack on a dance class in Southport which led to the death of three young girls and left 10 others seriously injured.
The riots were fueled by incorrect rumours the suspect in those killings was an immigrant of Muslim faith.
The suspect is in fact, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana who was born in Cardiff and lived in Banks in Lancashire. He has since been charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.
Following the Southport stabbings, riots have ensued across the country from as far south as Plymouth and as far north as Sunderland. Over 100 rioters have been arrested with many officers left injured among various incidents of criminal damage and looting.
Some of the worst scenes included hotels known to house asylum seekers being set on fire in Tamworth and Rotherham.
The closest incidents to West Mercia, according to the Telegraph, include Nottingham, Leicester and Stoke-on-Trent. A total of 14 people were arrested across these three incidents.
Counter protests centred around the Free Palestine movement have also recently occurred in Birmingham. This demonstration descended into criminal behaviour also with rioters seen on video driving erratically and dangerously as well as storming The Clumsy Swan pub in Bordesley Green and attacking a lone punter before smashing the pub’s windows.
According to the pub’s management, the man who was attacked had racially provoked his attackers.
“It is our priority to make sure everyone feels safe and safer neighbourhood officers have been visiting and speaking with their local communities to offer reassurance and we continue to work closely with our partner agencies.
“We respect the democratic right to peaceful protest but will not tolerate violence and disorder and have robust plans in place to respond.
“We will take swift and decisive action against those who come into our cities and towns to commit violent disorder.
“We are proud of the strong community cohesion and will stand together with our communities against those who look to disrupt this,” added Edd Williams.
