‘We condemn the criminality, racism, hatred and violence we witnessed in our streets’

A joint message from Cllr Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, and Matt Jukes, Chief Executive at Hull City Council.

Dear resident,

We are writing to you following one of the most challenging weeks in our recent history.

Like many other cities nationally, violence and criminality broke out in our city centre on Saturday 3 August in the worst unrest the country has seen for more than a decade.

We condemn the criminality, racism, hatred and violence we witnessed in our streets.

We thank officers at Humberside Police for their bravery and professionalism. We want to offer you reassurance that, along with the police, we are involved in supporting the huge community safety effort now in place. We have been overwhelmed and impressed by the response from the community in the last week.

Hull remains a safe place to live and visit. Despite this we understand it can be a worrying time, and we are in constant contact with our police partners and regional and national agencies, so that we can respond quickly to events if things change.

Humberside Police and Hull City Council will always post the most recent and reliable information, so please check these channels for the most accurate sources of information.

Additionally, you are encouraged to sign up for My Community Alerts, a free messaging system operated by Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Service, and Humberside Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, giving you live information about incidents happening in your area.

You will have already seen the arrests and sentences being made this week. This will continue until everyone who participated is held to account. These individuals brought destruction and fear to our city, and shame to themselves, and they will be brought to justice.

We should take huge pride in the community response we saw in the aftermath. The incredible response to the clean-up was humbling. This is the Hull we know and love.

There are other ways you can also help. Our city centre has already been affected by fewer people visiting and, together, we must ensure that we stand united and don't let a criminal minority damage further our many great businesses and those they employ.

Above all show kindness. Show kindness to your friends, colleagues, your neighbours and importantly the people who have been deeply affected by this. This is the best way to tackle those who seek to divide our community.

Be proud of Hull's unique friendliness and openness and celebrate everything that unifies us. Hull is a great city because of its great people and our strength has always come from that, and from standing firmly together to overcome those who seek to divide us.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Mike Ross, Leader, Hull City Council

Matt Jukes, Chief Executive, Hull City Council