A lot has unfolded in the city region and the entire country since Monday 29 July. Our thoughts are with the grieving families and everyone affected by the tragic event that took place.
The Culture Network LCR who power Uncover Liverpool have released the following statement:
The Culture Network LCR stands in solidarity with all communities affected by the recent riots. We condemn the violence. Racism and hatred have no place in our society, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable cultural environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
The tragic events in Southport should not be used to incite hate and racism, our hearts and thoughts are still very much with the grieving families in our region.
We credit the below information with thanks to Liverpool Irish Festival, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Pagoda Arts Liverpool, and Heart of Glass.
What do we know?
Three children were killed in an attack at a Southport dance school on Monday 29 July 2024. They were: Alice Dasilva Aguiar (9), Bebe King (6) and Elsie Dot Stancombe (7). In total, a further eight people were injured including Leanne Lucas and John Haynes, both employees of the school. The attacker was a British-born teenager.
There was no connection with Southport Mosque, but racial hatred from far-right extremists took over a vigil intended for those harmed in Monday’s attacks. This involved police injuries, 27 hospitalisations and considerable damage to the mosque. Such bigoted violence is intolerable and deeply disrespectful to those grieving.
A six-day wave of violent unrest followed, fuelled by anti-immigrant fury and misinformation peaking over the weekend, and threatens to continue. Nearly 20 towns or city’s, saw rallies descend into riots with dozens of police officers injured and more than 100 people arrested.
These actions steal from communities, via the cost of defence, the clean up and the instability and distrust it causes.
On Wednesday 8 August there was a huge show of unity as thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets, with reports of over 25,000 peaceful counter protestors across the country coming together to protect immigration service centres.
Merseyside Police stakeholder briefing
The Merseyside Police issued a stakeholder briefing letter by email to colleagues at 8.30pm, Tue 6 Aug 2024. You can download it as a PDF, here. An additional press release details 13 arrests is viewable here. With thanks to Pagoda Arts for circulating the news.
Support Services
- For anyone needing support, there is 24/7 assistance available from Victim Support.
- The Anthony Walker Foundation runs additional services.
- Asylum services are available from Migrant Helpand you can call 0808 8010 503.
- If you need advice on talking to a child about witnessing a violent crime, or explaining what has happened, there is a guide here: LINK.
- Emotional and Physical Safety Resources – A catalogue of and platform for black-owned businesses in Liverpool by @blk.ownd.lpl.
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Migration Exchange have shared a blog with advice for organisations in the migration sector, and funders on what actions to take to protect communities from far-right violence.
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Hope not Hate have a list of community resources, and info on what you can do about anti-migrant protests, and have developed guides to online safety and security for temporary asylum accommodation, drawing on their work with organisations working in the refugee and migration sector – register to download on this link to Hope not Hate.
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NEON have comprehensive advice on messaging and framing communications at this time Far right violence, a messaging guide.
- Mental health & wellbeing support.
- Toxteth El8te – offer weekly Friday evening basketball sessions and summer camps, emphasising their commitment to nurturing a vibrant community spirit in Toxteth.
Fundraising
If you would like to support Spellow Lane Library, a target of the County Road atrocities, you can do so here. Additionally, here’s an update about the donations Spellow Library has received.
The Community Foundation for Merseyside, in partnership with Sefton Council and Sefton CVS, has activated an urgent fundraising appeal for all those affected by the recent knife attack in Southport. The Southport Strong Together Appeal, which has already received its first donation of £50,000 from the Liverpool ONE Foundation, will help to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of those affected.
Safe Spaces
Kitty’s Laundrette released this post post via Instagram to share that their laundrette is a safe space and a place for everyone.
Please get in touch with us at clare@culture.org.uk if you would like us to list your organisation/venue as a safe space in the Liverpool city region.
A Poetic Response To The Tragedy from Francisco Carrasco (LUMA Creations)
Find out more about Francisco and the LUMA Creations team here.
In addition, you can find support from the below list of organisations, compiled by LCVS.
Support for Individuals
Anthony Walker Foundation
The Anthony Walker Foundation works to tackle racism, hate crime and discrimination by providing educational opportunities, victim support services and by promoting equity and inclusion for all. For advice or support, you can speak to a member of the Anthony Walker Foundation Hate Crime Team.
Contact: support@anthonywalkerfoundation.org.uk / 0151 237 3974
CrimeStoppers
CrimeStoppers are an independent charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime, 100% anonymously. By phone and online, 24/7, 365 days a year. They also share advice on how to protect the people you care about from crime.
Contact: You can anonymously call on 0800 555 111.
Riot Response Hub | Be Free Campaign
In response to the recent riots, the Be Free Campaign is launching a virtual support option for people of colour and minorities across Merseyside who have been affected by the recent violence; they’re pulling together their resources to ensure that you get the support that you need.
If you don’t identify as a person of colour or a minority, please click here to visit their Be Free Help Centre. Their service supports both adults and young people over the age of 13.
Stop Hate UK
Stop Hate UK is a leading national organisation working to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity.
If, for any reason, you do not wish to report a hate crime to the police, Stop Hate UK runs a 24/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime.
Contact: 0800 138 1625 / Weblink
TellMAMA
Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks (MAMA) is a secure and reliable service that allows people from across England to report any form of Anti-Muslim abuse. They have created a unique portal where you may address your concerns and record any incident that you experience as a result of your Muslim faith or someone perceiving you to be Muslim.
By using their ‘Submit a Report‘ section, you can describe the details of the abuse you suffered, whether verbal or physical, and then add in the location of the attack so that we can effectively map incidents across England. They can also refer you for support through partner agencies if you have been a victim of an Anti-Muslim incident.
Contact: Phone: 0800 456 1226. SMS: 0115 707 00 07. WhatsApp: 0734 184 6086. Email: info@tellmamauk.org.
Victim Care Merseyside
Victim Care Merseyside is the Police and Crime Commissioner’s dedicated service providing free, confidential support for all victims of crime living in Merseyside, tailored to your individual needs.
Contact: You can call on their freephone 0808 175 3080 on weekdays between 8 AM and 6 PM.
Support for Organisations
Support & Assistance for Community Organisations
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service has compiled various ways it can support and assist organisations in light of recent events.
Since the two links on the PDF above is not clickable, please see the links below:
- Safety Advice | Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (merseyfire.gov.uk)
- Get In Touch | Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (merseyfire.gov.uk)
Support for Youth-facing Organisations
- Community Trauma Support Guidance
- Physical Security in Youth Work Settings
- Signposting Sector Resources
General Information
Community Wellbeing Toolkits
In response to the recent events, Liverpool City Council have produced community wellbeing toolkits to help residents, services users and staff.
The information above is also part of the Liverpool Kind to Your Mind website’s difficult or traumatic events page.
The website and toolkit reminds us that there are times when its ok to not be ok, it provides advice and guidance on ways to start feeling better, when and how to get support if needed and how to support someone you may be worried about. In Liverpool they have a dedicated Reach Out campaign for anyone facing crisis or concerned about someone else.
Please distribute these toolkits with your services and groups, and ask them to share with their contacts.
The Kind to your Mind messages, resources and toolkit can all be downloaded here, you will need to use the password 6Mg87KegTd7u. These resources are for all Liverpool organisations and partners to use, with resources in English and translated into other languages. You can also download their new user guide to enable your organisation to be part of and help promote this campaign.
Hate Crime Reporting
Learn how to report a hate crime on the Merseyside Police website below.
Does it feel like the situation could get heated or violent very soon? Is someone in immediate danger? Do you need support right away? If so, please call 999 now.
Protective security schemes for Places of Worship
In response to recent public disorder, the Home Office has introduced a rapid protective security response for places of worship at risk of imminent violent disorder or in the immediate aftermath of such an incident.