UK Charities Report Surge in Threats Amid ‘Toxic’ Immigration Rhetoric

UK Charities Report Surge in Threats Amid ‘Toxic’ Immigration Rhetoric
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UK charities are warning of a significant rise in racial abuse, intimidation, and threats of violence targeting their staff and beneficiaries, linking the trend to increasingly “toxic” rhetoric surrounding immigration and race by politicians and extremist activists, according to The Guardian.

Voluntary organizations, including those supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and minority groups, reported being targeted with threats to rape and kill staff, physical abuse, and vandalism—including anti-migrant and racist graffiti.

Charity leaders noted that the threat became more explicit and targeted following the Southport riots in 2024 and the widespread use of inflammatory rhetoric about immigrants and “small boats.” One charity chief executive suggested that increasingly mainstream political rhetoric has created a “permission structure” for racism, emboldening far-right activists.

In response, many charities have been forced to implement extensive security measures. These actions include installing safe rooms, fitting staff with phone trackers, hiring security guards, and even temporarily closing offices based on police advice.

A coalition of over 150 charities, including the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the Muslim Council of Britain, has written to the Prime Minister urging him to provide “clear and consistent leadership” to challenge the “cynical” targeting of civil society organizations and defend the values of inclusion and anti-racism. They emphasized the need for action against the division and hate fueled by politicians who scapegoat communities for political gain.