Politics
Violent disruption will be met with full force of the law, Finchley MP assures community
Barnet MPs, council and local Muslim and Jewish groups meet ahead of planned far-right disruption
August 7, 2024 15:49
Barnet MPs, council and local Muslim and Jewish groups meet ahead of planned far-right disruption
August 7, 2024 15:49Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman has sought to reassure communities ahead of planned far-right action in north London tonight.
In a local meeting convened and chaired by Sackman, who also serves as Solicitor General, she relayed a message from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley that urged the local community to remain calm and vigilant, that those spreading violent disorder will feel full force of the law and that, however well-intentioned, counter-protests could put additional strain on police and be unsafe.
Sackman told the meeting, “I am grateful for the leadership shown by the council, Jewish and Muslim community leaders in coming together this morning in support of our diverse community in the face of threats of racist, violent disorder ... I understand the concerns residents will have in light of the riots we have witnessed during the last week and the threatened action tonight.
“The police have put in place the resources to keep us safe. I would urge calm and for people to avoid the North Finchley location which has been shared online.
“I am concerned and worried about the potential violent disorder and Islamophobic and antisemitic behaviour. This is not our Finchley. Many of these threats come from hostile actors outside our communities whose values are anathema to ours.”
The online meeting featured fellow Barnet MPs Dan Tomlinson and David Pinto-Duschinsky, Barnet council leaders, CST, the Islamophobia charity Tell Mama, a Metropolitan Police superintendent and other local stakeholders.
Jo Grose of United Synagogue and member of Finchley Progressive Synagogue Tamara Joseph of both expressed their support directly and offered their assistance to the local Muslim community.
Met Police Superintendent Lorraine Busby-McVey told the meeting that police are maximising the number of officers in the area over the coming days. They also made multiple reassurance visits to the local mosque, local synagogues and asylum hotels.
The Evening Standard reported that some local businesses had closed early amid the threat of disruption tonight.