CYP Now - Riot response: youth workers will be crucial for healing communities

Anti-immigration riots have created fear among many young people and minoritised communities. Youth organisations have been providing support and can lead discussions to repair social cohesion, say experts.

Youth workers have played a central role supporting young people in the communities affected by the violent disorder in recent weeks - POSITIVE YOUTH FOUNDATION

An unexpected and particularly shocking aspect of the racist riots that sprung up across dozens of towns and cities in the UK during August was the prominent role that young people played in them.

At the time of going to press, children as young as 12 have been charged with offences including violent disorder and rioting in relation to the spate of anti-immigration protests sparked by the killing of three young girls in the Southport area of Merseyside in late July.

Several of the most violent protests targeted hotels and hostels housing refugees claiming asylum in the UK after far-right groups used social media to spread false information that the Southport victims’ killer had arrived in the UK by an illegal Channel boat crossing. He is in fact a 17-year-old boy who lived locally and was born in Cardiff.

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