Neeraj Sharma, CEO of Norton-based charity Daisy Chain, calls for communities to stand together following the riots that have affected Middlesbrough and several other towns across the UK.
“This week Middlesbrough has experienced scenes reminiscent of a dystopian nightmare. Windows shattered, cars and businesses torched, universities and libraries targeted. Mobs attempted to attack places of worship, looted shops, and assaulted police and service animals. This is not the Middlesbrough we know and love.
As a British Asian and CEO of an autism charity, my life’s work has been dedicated to supporting marginalised groups and advocating for change. But what I witnessed over these two days has shaken me to the core.
The day after the riots, our community rallied together, showing the true spirit of Middlesbrough. We cleaned the streets, swept up broken glass and helped families whose homes had been violated.
I personally assisted a family with three young children, their living room window shattered by bricks. The children, aged six to nine months, suffered minor cuts, but the psychological scars will linger far longer. The fear, the sensory overload from racist mobs, helicopters and sirens—this is not the society we strive for.
We must face a hard truth: the so-called right to protest has been hijacked, morphing into a licence for anarchy.
The media talks about “left behind Britain,” but this rhetoric dangerously legitimises the violence and chaos we’ve seen. This venom is inexcusable and must be called out for what it is.
As community leaders, we must do more to prevent these events. This means having difficult conversations, including reconsidering the right to protest when it leads to such destructive outcomes. The right to protest cannot be an excuse for lawlessness and terror.
Furthermore, we must engage with the disenfranchised, understanding their perspectives and grievances. But all sides need to have thick skins because these discussions will be tough. We must address the massive loss of respect that children and young people have for law, order, authority and community.
Our charity, and others like us, can help foster community harmony. We need to be at the table with the government and decision-makers to work on real solutions. This will require listening, reflecting and making tough decisions. But this is the only way forward if we want to build a stronger, fairer and safer society for all.
We must be prepared to listen to each other and change as a nation.
It’s time for us to take decisive action and stand together against the forces that seek to divide us. Only then can we ensure that such anarchy never strikes our streets again. Let’s come together, not just in the aftermath of tragedy, but in proactive unity to create the inclusive, harmonious community we all deserve.”
At Daisy Chain, we wholeheartedly embrace inclusion and diversity, and recognise the right that everyone has to feel safe on our streets. If you are neurodivergent, or identify as such, and have been affected by the violence and terror across our community, please know that we are here to support you. Our team is offering guidance, resources, and a safe space. 🤝