Church leader praises community response to riots

A Torbay-based church leader has paid tribute to the ‘inspiring work’ of local police and communities during a week of unrest in Devon.

There were scuffles in Plymouth city centre on Monday evening as local people resisted racially-motivated protests organised over social media by right-wing groups.

Several police officers were injured, a number of people were arrested, and  three people have already been jailed for their parts in the incident.

Elsewhere, communities came out to oppose the right-wing protests. In Torquay a group of people stood outside the town’s mosque holding placards including the slogan: “Humanity Not Hatred”.

In the wake of the disturbances, the chair of the Devon and Cornwall Community Scrutiny Panel said community action ‘paved the way for a better future’.

The panel, which is designed so members of the public can scrutinise the work of local police, is chaired by the Reverend Nathan Kiyaga.

He said: “We shouldn’t live in a community with such fear.”

Police worked 18-hour shifts, he said, protecting vulnerable communities. In Torbay people gathered at the mosque to counteract ‘hate-fuelled ideologies’ and spread a message of humanity.

“We have seen in the past few days that our community and police service have chosen to stand up against reckless violence,” said Mr Kiyaga.

“The acts of mercy and compassion seen around the peninsula have touched hearts, and will pave the way for a better future. I hope that we will continue to act in ways that promote love and inspire hope.

“Let us keep protecting strangers, because in doing so we might be entertaining angels.”