The peaceful lives of residents living in mixed communities across the country have been shattered by the raging mobs who brought hatred to our streets.
And last night, one Asian family targeted by mindless far-right cowards told how they are now too scared to leave their home and are even considering moving. Others told how they were caught up in the rioting that plagued towns such as Southport, Rotherham, Middlesbrough and Tamworth.
Migrant hotels have been stormed, mosques attacked, shops looted and even libraries and Citizens Advice centres set ablaze by marauding gangs of fake patriots claiming to be “protecting children” in the wake of the horrific knife deaths of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside. But there have also been heartening stories of residents pulling together to clean up the mess and unite against the racist thugs.
Middlesbrough community out in force (
North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)
News of the disgraceful scenes reached overseas, where several countries, including Nigeria, Malaysia and Indonesia, issuing travel alerts to citizens thinking of travelling here.
And many white locals have also suffered as their homes and streets are targeted by the mobs. Dilu Barua, 57, told how she had to hide in her Middlesbrough house with husband Amar, son Remu Barua, 34, his wife Rupa, 31, and their 18-month-old baby girl Ridita as the masked gangs rampaged through the streets for hours on Sunday.
Damage to the windows and vehicles in the street where the Barua family live (
Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
The family are originally from Bangladesh but have lived in the Teesside town for three years. Dilu said: “I want to move now. I never had any racism until now. I haven’t slept since and I’m exhausted. I came to England because I heard in the North they were lovely and warm, friendly people. And they have been until this shocking thing. It was my dream to come here. It’s made me too scared to go out or leave my home.”
“We have a plan to escape out the back with the baby if they come back. But everyone coming out this morning to help clean up has given me hope. I just want everyone to calm down. We just want a peaceful life.” On Buddhist Dilu’s street, 15 homes have been boarded up and many cars damaged.
“I really worry” – Care worker William Young (
Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
Factory worker Remu added: “They broke windows from our car and our house. We were really scared. My daughter was really scared because four stones came through the window and it was loud.
“It was terrifying. We feel nervous and scared for the future. We don’t know if we will stay here. It was nice that people came to help us and they cleaned the place up.”
Khaled Alshamary, from Kuwait, was at home with three of his four children when the terror unfolded. The 49-year-old, whose kids range in age from seven to 16, said: “I saw people running. They were wearing masks and they had sticks with them.
“They started breaking glass and they burned a car out before they headed towards us. There looked like there was 200 people. People were breaking into cars and stealing stuff. We were very afraid of what was going to happen and they said they would come back.”
The riot outside of the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers
“It was very frightening for me and my children, it was total panic. My eldest son was out with his friends and I told him not to come back until it was all over.”
Care worker William Young has lived in Middlebrough for 40 years with his wife and said he has never witnessed anything like this. The 62-year-old added: “I really worry about the effect it will have on the Asian community living here.” Restaurant owner Luqman Khan was one of those targeted in the town.
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Labour MP Andy McDonald praised the “overwhelming” response of those who turned out to clear up. Joining people as they arrived with their brooms, brushes and litter pickers, he said: “This is the true character of the town. We will take our town back. We will not be beaten by thugs. They should get the message loud and clear.”
A burning car in Middlesbrough (
PA)
In Southport, Mohammad Haque told how he was trapped in a mosque for hours as rioters laid siege to it. The 25-year-old said: “It’s not safe any more, we walk around looking over our shoulders and we can’t even sleep at night. When I’m in town, I’m always looking around. People have changed towards us. Everyone in my family feels the same.”
Violence broke out in Plymouth, Devon, last night as rival groups hurled bricks, bottles and fireworks. Tensions rose in Birmingham when a Sky News reporter cut a live broadcast after a group of men approached, swearing and telling her to leave.
In Rhyl, North Wales, a large crowd was reported to have gathered yesterday. A young woman was heard shouting the n-word from the window of a car passing a Black man.
Rhyl Islamic Centre trustee Halima Ahmed, 40, said: “Tensions are heightened. Quite a few people are avoiding going out.”
Three generations of a family from Telford, Shrops – on holiday in the coastal resort – told how they were “harassed” by white youths. One member, a woman, said: “It was really upsetting, in front of the children.”
Police in Merseyside and South Yorkshire told how they briefly “lost control” of the riots because of a desperate shortage of officers. One officer in Rotherham said: “We didn’t have the numbers. This is the worst disorder I’ve seen.”