Wycombe leaders say riot thugs not welcome in town

Community leaders in the town have lined up to condemn the week of riots which erupted across the country following misinformation about the identity of the suspect charged with the murder of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last week.

Wycombe MP Emma Reynolds told the Bucks Free Press: “It is unacceptable that far right thugs are trying to exploit the horrific murders in Southport to stoke division and target communities.

“It is terrible to witness the violence and rioting we’ve seen in other towns and cities. These are not peaceful protests, but they are trying to intimidate and scare people. I stand against their hatred and their attempt to divide communities.”

Reynolds also thanked the ‘brave’ Thames Valley Police officers and other emergency services for protecting the public and ‘preserving the peace’ in High Wycombe.

She added: “Wycombe is a diverse community, and we stand against those who try to divide communities and indeed who try to target specific communities. I feel very proud to represent the wonderful people of Wycombe.”

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Wycombe saw a handful of protestors assemble in the high street at the weekend, including some who raised concerns about immigration and ‘extreme Islamism’.

There were also a handful of anti-racism counter protesters, but no trouble, and the town has not seen any rioting.

But as reports suggest that further riots could be on their way in other towns and cities, Wycombe’s community figures have expressed messages of unity and called for continued calm.

“We are one community,” said Sajid Ali, the vice chair of the Wycombe Mosque Islamic Trust, which represents the town’s mosques, “I am really pleased to keep the cohesion in High Wycombe.”

The faith leader said his organisation had told members of the community ‘not to get involved in any trouble’ and not to argue with anybody but to ‘walk away’ and contact the police if necessary.

He said: “This kind of behaviour is of a few people who come and try to destroy things, but we are not going to entertain them.

“We work very closely with the police, council and other authorities. We are concerned about the safety of all the community, not just Muslims.”

Wycombe councillor Andrea Baughan, who attended the small gathering of anti-racism campaigners in Wycombe on Saturday, described the murder of the three young girls at their dance class last week as ‘heartbreaking’.

She added: “The subsequent riots in which some of the most vulnerable people have been attacked is abhorrent and my thanks go to the emergency services for their work.

“In Wycombe we are a strong community, and I was very proud to stand with colleagues and friends against racism.”

Another Wycombe councillor, Majid Hussain, added that High Wycombe has had ‘good interracial relationships for many years’.

He said: “We here talk to each other and welcome newcomers to our town. I’d say to anyone thinking of coming here to cause trouble, don’t. Because you will be meet by a community who want to live in peace and harmony together.”

He added: “I’d tell anyone thinking of breaking the law, that our justice system will see them punished for any wrongdoing.”The MP for Mid Buckinghamshire Greg Smith, whose constituency borders the edge of High Wycombe, also joined the voices condemning the violence of the past week.

He said: “The riots across parts of the UK are deeply shocking. There is no place for violence or intimidation at all, full stop and all those engaged in hatred, violence and looting need to face the full force of the law.

“We have not seen this behaviour anywhere in Buckinghamshire and I strongly urge anyone intent on taking to the streets to stop in their tracks and maintain peace and good order. Our police have my full support in challenging, stopping and arresting all those engaged in this violence and disorder.”