Message from Cllr John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council

I utterly condemn the Islamophobic and racist violence from the far-right witnessed throughout the UK in recent days.

Sadly, last night we also witnessed a flare-up of tensions in parts of Birmingham. Let me be clear, this mob violence is wholly unacceptable and anyone responsible for threats and violence, whatever their background or motivation, must face consequences for their actions.

Given what has happened across the country and in the city, I want to reassure our residents about the work the council continues to do with our partners.

• We're working with Birmingham mosques and have informed them of the additional support for protective security offered by the Home Office and sharing contact details for Birmingham's cohesion and safety teams.
• There has been continuous dialogue between ourselves and a number of concerned mosques and community individuals over the weekend as events unfolded.
• Meetings with faith groups, community leaders and West Midlands Police have continued today.
• Ongoing engagement will also link in key asylum and refugee centres, and we are also working to ensure vulnerable businesses that have reported incidents are receiving the support they need.
• Community safety officers have been briefed and are on extra alert.

Here in Birmingham we are a proud city of sanctuary; diversity is our strength, and we stand united against hatred and intolerance.

This partnership work will continue throughout the coming days and weeks as now more than every we need clear voices standing up for our communities, showing how well we work together and challenging misinformation, dispelling rumours, and building community trust.

I'm aware that tensions are running high. People have seen the violence elsewhere in the country and they're worried about their own families and homes. I understand that, but people cannot take the law into their own hands.

We must let the police do their jobs and if you have anything to report, contact the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

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