Reports that far-Right thugs are planning protests in four London boroughs are being assessed by the Metropolitan Police.
A list is circulating on social media which appears to have been drawn up by Right-wing extremists.
It includes a series of possible locations for demonstrations around the country including four in the capital.
One of them is Harrow in north west London, another is Hounslow in west London, a third is in Finchley, north London with the fourth in Walthamstow, north east London.
Finchley & Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman has urged calm among the locals and said she is in touch with the Met Police.
My statement on planned far-right action in Finchley. pic.twitter.com/Ri6AOdf19M
— Sarah Sackman MP (@sarahsackman) August 5, 2024
Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy wrote on X: “Walthamstow I know there is some really worrying stuff being circulated on social media - please be assured getting to the bottom of it is my priority and please wait for further updates.
“Am asking for your help to defeat the fear being stoked together!”
A Harrow council spokesman said: “We are aware of social media posts and WhatsApp messages being shared which claim that a protest is being held in Harrow on Wednesday.
“We are working with the police to verify whether a protest is taking place and if there is we will prioritise the safety of Harrow’s communities in our response.”
Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Shantanu Rajawat,said: "We are aware of social media posts and WhatsApp messages which claim a protest is being planned in the borough this week.
“We are working with the police to verify that claim. If there is any credibility to it, we will work with the police and other partners to prioritise the safety of our communities.”
Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury posted on X her concern that Brentford, in the borough of Hounslow, was one of the areas it was feared would be targeted.
There are reports online that Brentford is one of the areas being targeted for disorder tonight.
— Ruth Cadbury (@RuthCadbury) August 7, 2024
Please see my full statement below & an update about this deeply distressing situation. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/72ErXh2U3F
Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader of Waltham Forest Council, said: “We have seen claims that a protest has been organised in our area. We are working with the Metropolitan Police to verify the information, and we will respond together in close partnership if it is accurate.
“Extra patrols have already been put into place, and we have reached out to mosques and places of worship to provide reassurance. The safety and wellbeing of our residents is always our top priority.”
Police are assessing the list to try to establish the likelihood of any protests actually taking place and if so what measures they may need to put in place to stop public disorder erupting.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “My thoughts remain with all those affected by the abhorrent attack in Southport last week.
“The rioting and violence we have seen across the country in the last few days has been utterly shocking.
“There is simply no place in our society for the violence, racism and Islamophobia we have witnessed - disorder fuelled by a toxic combination of far-Right agitators and online disinformation.”
He added: “In London, we are united against hatred, and I am working closely with partners to ensure all of our communities are safe – and feel safe.
“Today the Met Police and London Resilience Unit have brought together partners from across the capital, from emergency services to local authorities to voluntary, community and faith representatives to ensure we are working together to achieve that aim at a time of heightened tensions.”
The violent protests in recent days have been in towns and cities in other parts of the UK.
However, more than 110 people were arrested in central London last Wednesday after a protest, following the Southport stabbings, turned violent.
The Met Police said officers were attacked and subjected to assault during the “Enough is Enough” demonstration.
Thugs were seen launching beer cans and glass bottles at a line of police in riot gear in front of Downing Street and throwing flares onto the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.
The angry scenes also included loud chants of “we want our country back” and “Oh Tommy Robinson”, referring to the Right-wing activist.
Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist stressed that the force’s officers had faced “unacceptable scenes of disorder and violence”.
A dedicated team of officers has been working to bring charges against the perpetrators of the violence.
Sir Keir Starmer slammed a “Nazi salute at the Cenotaph” by one individual as he announced on Thursday a crackdown on violent thugs taking part in demonstrations, and he has since announced a “standing army” of riot police to prevent further incidents.
The Prime Minister stressed in his earlier response: “Make no mistake, whether it’s in Southport, London or Hartlepool these people are showing our country exactly who they are.
“Mosques targeted because they are mosques.
“Flares thrown at the statue of Winston Churchill.
“A Nazi salute at the Cenotaph.”
Violent protests have taken place in Southport, Bristol, Aldershot, Rotherham, Hartlepool, Tamworth, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Belfast.
So far, 344 people have been arrested since the violence broke out on Tuesday in the wake of a knife attack last week in Southport which left three young girls dead.
False reports circulating on social media, claiming the Southport attacker was a Syrian refugee who came to Britain by “small boat” crossing the Channel, have been partly blamed for fuelling the violence.
