Riots and public disorder: guidance

Blog

Dear colleagues and partners,

Like all of you we have been saddened by the recent scenes of violence across the country, following the tragic murders of three young girls in Southport and the attack on a soldier in Gillingham.  

Creative Medway have a zero tolerance towards racism and any form of discrimination, and are committed to demonstrating this commitment.  We strongly condemn those who are using these tragic incidents as an excuse to spread hate and fear in our community 

We are actively involved in discussions with Kent Police, Medway Council and local sector partners to explore how we can contribute to making Medway a place we can feel proud of, and where everyone feels safe.

Kent Police are aware that there is a lot of misinformation being circulated which may be adding to feelings of anxiety.  We have seen businesses affected and events cancelled as communities rightly prioritise safety.

The following message is from Kent Police (from a post sent on Wednesday 7th August):

‘We are aware of the potential for protests… and will respond swiftly and robustly to any incidents of disorder that arise. We are continuing to monitor all available information and have sufficient resources in place to respond whilst continuing with the daily business of keeping people safe and preventing and detecting crime. This week officers are also engaging with communities to provide ongoing reassurance and increased visibility.’

If anyone has any concerns about their own or others safety, please contact Kent Police directly on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Kent Police also advise against circulating information that may be factually inaccurate to avoid raising anxiety. If in doubt please contact Kent Police or your local Community Liaison Officer. 

The Charity Commission have published advice on responding to public disorder and the NCVO’s statement here. Arts Council England have published information for projects who need to rearrange funded events.

Please get in touch if you need support. 

Stay safe.