Islamic Relief UK has warned that charities are having to reduce their services and cancel events as they “reassess their security situation in the wake of far-right riots that have spread across Britain”.

Charities have already been targeted following the riots caused by racist and Islamophobic protestors earlier this month, including the destruction of one of Sunderland Citizens Advice offices in a fire.

According to Islamic Relief UK number of its small charity partners have said they have had to act amid fears they could be targeted.

This includes cancelling events and reducing their services.

One of its local community support partners in Bradford has been forced to cut support offered through its centres, including a community café and day care for the elderly.

“These centres are vital for an area of the UK that sees above average levels of deprivation,” said Islamic Relief UK.

“Yet due to the violence, they’ve gone from serving 300-400 people a week to less than half of that, as they have had to change how they operate due to security concerns.”

Elsewhere, a foodbank charity in areas of Leeds that have seen racist violence “is determined not to stop distributing food but without security support they will not have a choice”.

Islamic Relief UK director Tufail Hussain said: “We have witnessed the worst of Britain, as far-right thugs, unrepresentative of most people in this country, have taken to the streets to sow chaos and enact violence against people of colour and Muslim communities.

“It is a disgrace that in 2024, charities run by people of colour, who are just trying to help the most vulnerable in their community, should have to shut up shop because of this violent thuggery.

“We commend our local partners who are still trying to soldier on in the face of such extreme challenges, but mostly we urge everyone to prioritise their safety first and foremost.”

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