Call for unity after Blyth targeted by far right hate online

Leading politicians in Northumberland have pledged to do everything in their power to keep residents safe after fears of potential far right action in the county.

It comes after Northumbria Police's Superintendent for Northumberland Kevin Waring confirmed the force had received "pockets of intelligence" about potential far right activity targeting the Madina Masjid Mosque in Blyth. Speaking at a council meeting last week, Mr Waring confirmed that information had been received, but any action did not materialise.

This weekend saw the far right vastly outnumbered in Newcastle by peaceful anti-racism demonstrators. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, council leader Glen Sanderson praised the work of the mosque in the community.

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He said: "The Inman there is a tremendous community leader. His attitude and his good nature crosses all religions and all generations, and it sets a fantastic example to all of us.

"Anyone that would threaten all the good work that they do there would be incredibly disingenuous and totally unacceptable. I place my complete faith and support to the mosque and all of those people who use it."

Similarly, the leader of the Labour opposition group on Northumberland County Council Scott Dickinson MBE called for unity in the county.

He said: "Anything that has this kind of hate and far right nonsense targeting communities in Northumberland needs to be stamped out. Where we can, we need to work together to show unity for the mosque in Blyth and for any community in Northumberland who are multi-faith.

"We need to remind them all that we are all part of the same Northumberland community. We are all working together to make sure everyone is as safe as possible."

Riots broke out in a number of cities across the UK following stabbings in Southport on July 29. The attacker was falsely alleged on social media to have been a Muslim, an asylum seeker, or both.

Speaking at last week's meeting, Mr Waring said that disinformation on social media was "one of the biggest challenges" faced by the force and that it had created significant tension" among the public.