A message from the Mayor and Councillors

People came together to peacefully reject violence and expose a tiny minority of far-right “protesters” for what they truly are: racist, xenophobic and Islamophobic.

We all feel a sense of hope that a firm message has been sent. The far-right are not welcome here, and anyone spreading fear and disorder will be dealt with firmly by the police and legal system. However, we know that many people across Lewisham will still be reeling from recent events, and many are understandably fearful or worried.

We want to reassure all residents that we are committed to supporting our rich and diverse communities and faith groups. As a proud Borough of Sanctuary, we will do all we can to support our valued immigrant and refugee communities in the coming days and weeks.

The Council remains in constant communication with the Metropolitan Police, and we will continue to collectively monitor the situation here in Lewisham. Misinformation can spread quickly, so please keep an eye on our channels for the facts.

The Council is dedicated to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all our residents; we will update you and share appropriate guidance if we become aware of any relevant activity.

Please continue to check in on your friends and neighbours, reporting any concerns that you have to the police. It’s more important than ever that we come together to support each other.

If you do witness a hate crime, please report it. Those sowing hate and division in our society must feel the full force of the law.

With you in peace, hope and unity,

Mayor of Lewisham Brenda Dacres and all Lewisham Councillors

Reporting a hate crime

• in an emergency, call 999 and follow the ‘run, hide, tell’ advice
• for non-emergencies, call 101 or visit your local neighbourhood police station
• report hate crimes online via Report It

We urge anyone who witnesses or experiences hate incidents to report them, even if not immediately.

If you witness a crime or are in immediate danger, call the Police on 999.

For non-emergencies, contact the police 24/7 at 101 or online at Report a Crime.

For anonymous crime reporting, call Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.