Cllr Holland said:
“We stand united in condemning the violence, rioting and the attempts to divide communities that the far-right is undertaking in the wake of the horrific events in Southport last week. Our thoughts and prayers are with the three young victims, their families and their friends at this dreadful time.
“The tragedy has been made much worse by the far-right exploiting it to push a hate filled agenda, and we have seen the targeting of sanctuary seekers, Muslim communities and Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic people for attack.
“It is hard to believe that this could happen in our country in 2024 – but it is a reminder of the scale of prejudice that exists in our country still, and that we must continue work to overcome it.
“While thankfully, we have not seen scenes like this so far in Lambeth, we know the situation will be extremely concerning for our residents and communities. We are working with faith groups and community organisations to ensure they are aware of the support available, and are liaising with the police to share intelligence and ensure everyone in the borough is safe.
“As a borough of Equity & Justice, and a Borough of Sanctuary, Lambeth and its communities have consistently demonstrated and celebrated our diversity as our strength. We will continue to stand united in these challenging times and are committed to a safe and secure borough for all our residents.
“If you have concerns you want to share please reach out to your local ward councillor, or contact Lambeth Council directly through lambeth.gov.uk.”
Cllr Claire Holland
Leader of Lambeth Council
