Community Reacts Responsibly To Arrests

The arrests and subsequent charges against a number of people living in Walthamstow under the Anti-Terrorism Act have shocked many local people. I believe that local communities have reacted in a responsible and measured way. This is an area where community relations have generally been good and we intend to keep that atmosphere. We simply do not recognise the distorted images of Walthamstow which some parts of the national media have chosen to portray in recent weeks.

Shortly after the arrests I joined other local politicians and community leaders in signing the following statement which was issued by Waltham Forest Council:

"Last week many of us woke to the news that police had launched an anti-terrorism operation within Waltham Forest.

We were shocked by allegations that extremist groups were plotting from within our borough. Now that the eyes of the world are on the part of East London that we call home, it is important that we all renew our commitment to forge strong community links whilst wholeheartedly condemning all forms of extremism and violence.

Our borough is privileged to be home for a large number of ethnic and faith groups. The vast majority of people living here enjoy the diversity of our neighbourhoods.

We must continue to work together to ensure the events of last week do not have an adverse effect on our way of life in Waltham Forest.

Since the raids occurred, Waltham Forest Council has been continuing its close work with representatives of the local mosques, community leaders and the police. The Council will keep residents informed of developments and continue to support those who need our help most at this time.

We know the last week has been a challenging time for everyone. By coming together, we are confident that our community can gain strength from this experience."

I have been in regular touch with Government Ministers since the arrests. along with other MPs who have had constituents arrested and charged. We will continue to work together to ensure that the actions of a tiny minority of people do not lead to reactions against the Muslim community as a whole. It does not help when the media are determined to try to make links which do not exist. As an example of this a national TV Channel who asked me for an interview after the arrests pulled out of the interview when  I refused to do it standing outside a local mosque, which as I pointed out had no connection with the subject of the interview.

August 2006

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