UK refugee centres 'prepare' for potential attacks by far-right following chilling 'hit list'

Dozens of immigration law specialists' offices, asylum support charities, and immigration services in the UK are preparing for possible attacks from far-right rioters on Wednesday evening, amid a week of racist violence across the country.

A list of almost 40 entities, widely circulated on social media, was reportedly leaked from Telegram, listing potential targets across the UK. The list included instructions on how to attack them, telling far-right users to "mask up".

While there is uncertainty about whether the attacks will take place or an intentional tactic of fearmongering by the far-right, the threats are being taken seriously.

The New Arab could not independently verify the list or claims that attacks are being planned, however the reports have raised real concerns among groups working with asylum seekers.

"We are believing in it, we are preparing for it," an immigration lawyer for one of the firms listed told The New Arab.

The lawyer says the fire brigade and police came into their office on Tuesday, and the local pub plans to be closed as a precaution.

"It's real," they said, viewing the list as a credible threat.

Around 6,000 police officers are preparing for the possibility of more violence across the nation, sharing a statement on Tuesday that they will "use every power, tactic and tool available to prevent further scenes of disorder".

Over 400 people have been arrested over far-right violence since last week, with sentences already handed out for some rioters.

Police sources say they are bracing for over 100 far-right protests on Wednesday, reportedly planned in several cities. 

False reports spread earlier this week of an English Defence League (EDL) protest planned in Birmingham but did not materialise with dozens of men from the community mobilising to protect their neighbourhoods.

Police are bracing for up to 30 counter-protests, with anti-racism activists hoping to deter the far-right from showing up.

Asylum Welcome, in Oxford, another name on the list, confirmed to The New Arab they are in contact with authorities and will continue to run services as normal except during the "sensitive time" this evening.

"Our biggest concern is that our clients, refugees and asylum seekers across Oxfordshire are, in many cases, feeling worried, threatened, scared because they don't know what this means for them," Mark Goldring, head of Asylum Welcome said.

"I'm seeing people, basically, staying in their rooms, a bit concerned to go out and that's been our experience in the last few days in terms of the activities that we've been running."

"That's probably more related to the national news coverage and the situation that's happening in many parts of the country rather than this specific threat in Oxford," Goldring added.

At the same time, immigration office ZR Visas, UK in Stoke-On-Trent, also told The New Arab it will continue work as normal "in the best public interest and our country."

The police have also told some offices to refrain from talking to the media due to the severity of the threat – as told to The New Arab.

The far-right "hit list" is reportedly been shared on the 'Southport Wake Up' Telegram channel, which went offline on Monday night with a backup account reportedly set up on Tuesday morning before also being taken down, according to a journalist at BBC Verify.

The "Southport Wake Up" channel was one of the first to encourage people to gather at a mosque on St Luke's Road, Southport last week, according to anti-racism group Hope Not Hate, before it was eventually attacked by the mob.

Violence sprung following the murder of three girls in Southport, North West England, on 29 July, with the alleged perpetrator being falsely identified as Muslim and an asylum seeker.

The suspect, Alex Rudakubana, was born in Wales to Christian parents.

The disinformation is believed to be behind multiple riots across the UK, leading to over 400 arrests and at least 120 people charged – with numbers expected to rise. 

Rioters have thrown bricks and flares, attacked the police, burned and looted shops as well as smashed car windows and homes, targeting people of colour.

A series of racially-motivated incidents have been documented online since the riots have taken place including alleged attacks on people of colour.

At least two hotels housing asylum seekers were targeted over the weekend. Three petrol bombs were thrown at a Holiday Inn Express hotel hosting asylum seekers.

Rioters also shouted racist and Islamophobic remarks and threw bricks at a mosque in Southport.

In light of fears surrounding the potential attacks, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted communities "will be safe" and took a tough line on the riots.

He vowed that anyone involved in the riots would face "the full force of the law", including those inciting violence online. Starmer also added he expects "substantive sentencing before the end of this week". Sentences of up to three years have already been handed out to some rioters.