The rise in racist violence across the United Kingdom and Ireland is now beyond dispute. From the murder of Dr. Fortune Gomo in Dundee to the firebombing of buildings housing refugees, our communities are under siege. At the same time, a hostile political climate—fuelled by incendiary rhetoric from figures such as Nigel Farage and legitimised by Keir Starmer’s recent comment that Britain risks becoming an “island of strangers”—has emboldened far-right mobilisation and undermined public trust in the institutions responsible for community safety. Black LGBT+ individuals face the added burden of racism intertwined with homophobia and transphobia, stoked by the media, lobby groups and the far right.
These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a systemic failure to recognise, respond to, and prevent racially motivated violence. In 2022 alone, over 155,000 hate crimes were recorded in England and Wales. The majority were racially motivated, and most resulted in no criminal charges. Communities have lost faith in the institutions that claim to protect them.
The Alliance for Police Accountability believes it is time to act. We are convening a national online roundtable to bring together:
- Community leaders
- Anti-racist organisations
- Academics
- Faith groups
- Trade unionists
- Lawyers
- Concerned citizens
This is the first step in planning a National Conference on Racist Attacks and Community Safety to take place later this year.
The roundtable will also launch a civil society proposal to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), calling for:
- The co-production of a Critical Incident Protocol for Racist Violence
- A Community Early Warning and Safety Framework led by trusted civil society partners.
Join Us:
This is not just an invitation, it is a call to conscience. The time for observation is over. The time for collective action is now!
Please register by Tuesday the 5th of August 2025.Joining instructions will be sent to all confirmed participants.
A briefing document and agenda will be shared with all registered attendees.
