The awful and shocking murders of three young girls in Southport on Monday 29 July have deeply affected so many here in Waltham Forest and across the country.

We refuse to be cowed by those who seek to exploit this tragedy. The Islamophobic, racist and anti-immigrant attacks by far-right rioters over the last week have no place in Waltham Forest, or anywhere in our society. The far right have never – and will never – be welcome in our borough, and as one community we stand together against their racism, Islamophobia and bigotry.

Our diversity is our strength. Waltham Forest is home to people from many different backgrounds and walks of life who have chosen to make our borough their home. We all live, work and enjoy our borough together. Waltham Forest is at its strongest when we are united in celebration of our diversity.

We join with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other political, community, faith and civic society leaders and the vast majority of law abiding citizens in condemning in the strongest terms these acts of far right violent thuggery. Those responsible must feel the full force of the law and we support the police in ensuring justice is done.

Waltham Forest Council is taking extra steps to keep people safe. This link will be regularly updated with the latest information.

We encourage anyone who has been a victim of, or witnesses a hate crime to use the channels below to report it:

• Call 999 in an emergency – when the offender is still in the area, someone has been injured or there is a risk to life
• Report it online to the local police
• Call 101 to make a non-emergency report to the police
• To report anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Please add your name to our statement using the form below.