Wiltshire Police has taken steps to reassure communities and help keep them safe following outbreaks of mob violence around the country.

A few days ago, far right protestors attacked a mosque and injured 53 police officers in Southport during a riot which saw bricks thrown and police vehicles set alight.

This occurred during a night of remembrance for three girls who were fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed party, as English Defence League supporters had believed misinformation spread online which incorrectly claimed that the Cardiff-born 17-year-old murder suspect was an asylum seeker and Muslim.

Similar riots then broke out in Manchester, Hartlepool, and near Downing Street in London, with the angry crowds heard shouting anti-immigration and Islamophobic slogans.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson, Wiltshire Police Chief Superintendent Will Staynings, and South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander have commented on the possibility of this happening in the Swindon area and the importance of “not allowing hate to win”.

Mr Wilkinson said: “The rioting seen in Southport following the deeply upsetting and violent attack on children at a dance party is abhorrent.

“Misinformation that has spread on social platforms since the incident has fuelled increasing tensions between protestors and the police.

“For people to use this incident to promote their own misguided ideologies is unforgivable and I hope the full force of the law is used to hold them to account.

“I urge local residents to follow reputable sources of information, such as police updates or accredited media outlets to ensure that information is accurate and truthful.

“We must not allow hate to win.”

Mr Staynings added on behalf of Wiltshire Police: "Firstly our deepest thoughts are with all of those affected by the tragic incident in Southport on Monday, July 29.

"We continue to monitor closely the events which have taken place in Southport and other areas of the country in the last couple of days.

"Wiltshire Police has already taken proactive steps to monitor any changes to community tension and to reassure communities across the county.

"This is an ongoing process which directly involves communities and is carefully monitored and reassessed.

"I want to be clear - Wiltshire Police will not tolerate acts of violence or disorder or any type of hate crime and will deal proactively with any reports or incidents received."

Heidi Alexander MP said: “I fear that a small minority of deeply unpleasant people are seeking to use the horrific events in Southport as an excuse to fan the flames of racial and religious hatred in the UK.

“The senseless violence we have seen in some towns and cities across the country shows utter disrespect for both the grieving families in Southport and for our emergency services, who responded to the initial incident and are now having to deal with this appalling violence.

“I have been in touch with Wiltshire Police in the last 24 hours and whilst there are no specific community concerns in Swindon at present, I will follow events closely and will of course continue to support the police in the vital work they do to keep all of our communities safe.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the “tiny mindless minority in society” who started the riots, pledged to set up a new national capability to tackle violent disorder, and promised to take every necessary step to keep Muslim communities safe.

He hit out at the “gang of thugs [who] got on trains and buses, went to a community that is not their own, a community grieving the most horrific tragedy, and then proceeded to throw bricks at police officers – police officers who just 24 hours earlier had been having to deal with an attack on children in their community”.