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In light of recent developments placing Bedford on a list of potential future far-right protest sites, community organisations, Bedfordshire Police, and Bedford & Kempston's MP have fervently called for calm and urged the public to halt the spread of misinformation.
Call for Calm Amid Rising Tensions
Islam Bedford took to social media to stress their collaboration with Bedfordshire Police and Labour MP Mohammad Yasin in safeguarding the community after several posts surfaced listing locations of possible protests. The local police force has issued a stern warning that any participation in violent acts or disorder will be addressed "swiftly and robustly." They are collaborating with regional forces to ensure the safety and support of Bedfordshire residents.
MP Mohammad Yasin echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for the public to think critically before sharing potentially inflammatory content on social media. Mr. Yasin explained, “I am aware of the rumours that some of the violent attacks we have seen in towns and cities across the country may be being planned for our community.”
Police and Political Response
The Bedfordshire Police have assured residents that they are monitoring the situation closely. Superintendent Graham Bates pointed out, “Disinformation has been a huge driver of the appalling violence we have seen across the country, and we know a lot of those taking part are doing so in direct response to what they’ve read online.” The police are scrutinising social media for any indications of planned protests and have urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information.
Mr. Yasin highlighted the adverse effects of violent protests on families and communities, particularly mentioning the recent Southport stabbings and other tragic incidents. He stated, “It is devastating to see how the hatred of a small group of people who seek to sow division in our communities is causing nothing but harm and fear to the majority of law-abiding people of Bedford and Kempston who want and do live together in peace and harmony.”
Impact on Local Families and Community
Mr. Yasin underscored the importance of maintaining peace, especially in light of recent tragic events that have significantly impacted local families. He referred to the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, stressing that ongoing violence only exacerbates the pain for the bereaved families.
Urging Against Vigilantism
MP Yasin further advised against taking matters into one's own hands or arranging counter-protests, stating that such actions could cause more harm than good and put additional strain on local law enforcement. He assured the community that he is in regular contact with the police and will meet with them to discuss the best strategies for maintaining safety.
He stated, “I ask everyone to remain calm, to be aware of the misinformation and terror that is being whipped up online, and to be very careful how they respond to it. I urge people not to take what is a police matter into your own hands or arrange counter-protests – it is more likely to cause more harm than good, put people at risk and put even more strain on our police force who are doing everything they can to keep our community safe.”
Investigations and Precautions
Bedfordshire Police are actively investigating reports of far-right groups planning protests in Bedford. Social media posts from a right-wing Bedford community Facebook group suggesting participation in such protests have been passed to the police for further investigation.
Superintendent Graham Bates reiterated the police’s commitment to facilitating peaceful protests while preventing criminality. “Policing will facilitate peaceful protest to ensure both demonstrators and the wider community are safe and criminality is prevented. However, we will not tolerate protests that engage in violence or disorder and seek to divide or cause harm to our communities,” he said.
National Concerns and Government Response
The recent spate of far-right riots across the UK has resulted in 378 arrests in cities including Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Hull, Belfast, and Stoke. In response, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convened an emergency Cobra meeting, asserting that the government will deploy specialist public duty officers and ramp up criminal justice measures to handle such unrest. He emphasised, “There have already been hundreds of arrests, some have appeared in court this morning. I have asked for early consideration of the earliest naming and identification of those involved in the process who will feel the full force of the law.”
As Bedford braces for potential protests, community leaders and law enforcement remain united in their call for calm and vigilance against misinformation, urging all residents to contribute to peace and safety in the area.
