The United Kingdom is currently grappling with its worst batch of riots in 13 years, as widespread anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rampage has ripped through the country over the weekend. On August 4, far-right rioters attacked asylum-seeker hotels in Rotherham and Tamworth. In Rotherham, hundreds of people gathered outside a Holiday Inn Express hotel used to house asylum seekers and threw bricks at police, broke several hotel windows, and set garbage bins on fire. Similarly, in Tamworth, a large group of individuals threw projectiles, smashed windows, and started fires, according to Staffordshire Police. These riots took place following a stabbing attack on July 29, 2024, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the town of Southport that left three girls dead and several others injured. Following the incident, false rumours were spread online that the 17-year-old suspect was a Muslim immigrant, thus igniting the latest spark of unrest in the country. 

Lindsey Butterfield, Assistant Chief Constable, reported, “The behaviour we witnessed has been nothing short of disgusting. While it was a smaller number of those in attendance who chose to commit violence and destruction, those who simply stood on and watched remain complicit in this.” Sharing this sentiment, Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, promised a swift response to the chaos in a TV address: “People in this country have a right to be safe and yet we have seen Muslim communities targeted and attacked on purpose.” He also asserted, “To those who feel targeted because of the colour of your skin or your faith, I know how frightening this must be. I want you to know this violent mob does not represent this country and we will bring them to justice.” Human rights appears to be a common thread linking these statements, and Rosa Freedman, professor at the University of Reading, similarly shared, “There is a conversation that needs to be had in the U.K. and other countries about immigration… We also need to tackle this from a human rights lens.” 

Several organisations have highlighted how social media platforms and other online media outlets have helped spread anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric contributing to the recent riots. Hope Not Hate, an advocacy group based in the U.K. that campaigns against racism and fascism stated that “these events are also the result of a climate of anti-Muslim and anti-asylum seeker hostility stoked by elements of our media and supposedly mainstream politicians.” Additionally, Rosie Carter, senior policy officer at Hope not Hate, stated, “We need to see the government and media take responsibility and end their cruel and inflammatory approach to immigration.”

Although police successfully de-escalated the riots on a local scale, harmful beliefs are still circulating online, and instead of helping mitigate the situation, some politicians have been accused of posting inflammatory statements on social media that have only worsened the issue at hand. Leader of Reform U.K. Nigel Farage, for example, has been blamed by critics for indirectly encouraging anti-immigration sentiment online. Although condemning the outright violence that took place this weekend, Farage criticized the government for blaming the violence on “a few far-right things” and saying that “the far right is a reaction to fear… shared by tens of millions of people.” Moreover, Farage unfairly compared the riots to the Black Lives Matter protests that had occurred years earlier. Various Members of Parliament belonging to the Labour Party have spoken out against Farage, with David Baines describing the situation as an “arsonist appalled at flames.” Worsening the issue further, with politicians soaking up a large portion of attention surrounding the issue, the voices of those harmed and threatened by the riots this weekend have received minimal attention. The Runnymede Trust, a British race equality and civil rights think tank, pointed out, “Once again the victims of this racist violence are barely mentioned, a general trend across mainstream media too… To blame the victims of this violence is an insult to people of colour across the country, who are living deep in fear.”

In addition to Farage, other U.K. government officials have also played a role in amplifying the anti-migrant online presence. Analysis has discovered a growing symbiotic relationship between senior Tories and the extreme right, where government rhetoric on migration has increasingly fed the far right. Furthermore, an investigation found that government statements and policy announcements surrounding immigration were feeding far-right views on Telegram, a social media app where right-wing extremists congregate. For example, Hope not Hate found that when Member of Parliament Suella Braverman said in October 2022 that the south coast of England was facing an “invasion” by asylum seekers, her language gave rise to a 52% increase in the use of the word “invasion” on Telegram.

When it comes to how the riots are organized, analysts have found that the spread of misinformation and the amplification of xenophobic rhetoric in the U.K. has led to the current outbreaks of violence. Police officials have said that many actions are being organized online by far-right groups mobilizing support with phrases such as “enough is enough,” “save our kids,” and “stop the boats.” The third phrase listed is about the arrival of migrants and refugees via small boats across the English Channel. Additionally, police noted that calls to riots have come from a diffuse group of social media accounts; one key player involved in this ring is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, a longtime far-right agitator who operates under the name Tommy Robinson.

In recent years, Europe has experienced a record influx of asylum seekers fleeing conflicts in Syria and other predominantly Muslim countries. Following this inundation, Home Office data has shown that race and religious hate crimes are at a high point, with Muslims being the most targeted religious group. As experts warn that anti-Muslim sentiment is “simmering under the surface” of British society, Anti-Muslim attacks have surged in the U.K., including physical assault, abusive behaviour, threats, and vandalism. 

To begin ameliorating the issue at hand, establishing the safety and security of asylum seekers, particularly those in the affected hotels, should be of the utmost importance. The riots in the U.K., in addition to all of the harmful rhetoric regarding immigration that already circulates the Internet, have made it abundantly clear that immigration is a humanitarian issue. Support from government figures combined with local, grassroots initiatives will be vital for both the protection and sustainable integration of migrants and asylum seekers. Snuffing the flames of online hatred while also establishing community development opportunities will help to dismantle hatred on a universal scale while also strengthening local efforts that benefit natives and newcomers alike. Examples of viable local initiatives include cultural orientation workshops, job training workshops, small business support, mentorship programs, community events, and affordable housing projects.