A Swindon charity that supports making the town safe for refugees has spoken out following widespread riots around the country.

Swindon City of Sanctuary promotes a culture of welcome, inclusion and support for all, with a particular focus on people fleeing to the UK from war and prosecution overseas.

The group celebrates the diversity of the town by bringing organisations together, raising awareness, and campaigning for fairness and inclusivity.

The good cause has issued a statement in response to the riots elsewhere in the country which has seen police attacked, mosques damaged, and arson attempts on hotels accommodating asylum seekers.

A spokesperson said: "The events of the past week have been a terrible reminder that far too often, hatred, racism and Islamophobia are given space to prosper.

"We stand in solidarity with all racialised communities who have been affected by the far right violence being seen across the UK.

"We are horrified that people who came to the UK seeking sanctuary and safety have been met with hatred and violence.

"Everyone deserves to live safely, to be welcomed into the communities they live within no matter who they are and where they came from.

"When politicians and press normalise harmful and dehumanising rhetoric, progression to violence becomes inevitable.

"This violence cannot continue, we must call out racism, bigotry, and Islamophobia within our communities.

"This has to be a turning point. We need our political leaders to condemn far-right violence, rhetoric, and misinformation.

"We need fair, safe and compassionate politics.

"As we stand with our friends and neighbours, we say that our community is stronger than those who wish to divide us.

"We will always welcome those who choose to make Swindon their home."

The charity's website https://swindon.cityofsanctuary.org now includes Hope Not Hate's newly-published guide to help people stay safe amidst far-right violence.

On Wednesday, the charity joined more than 240 organisations to call for communities and the country to be brought together for a different way forward which is more compassionate and united.

Their joint statement said: "We know that these views and acts of violence do not represent the vast majority of people in this country.

"It is right that the government has clearly condemned these attacks but we urgently need action, today, to ensure that local authorities have the right resources to ensure those under threat of attack in asylum accommodation, refugee service centres and places of worship are properly protected."