ASYLUM-SEEKERS remain fearful and trapped in unsafe accommodation a year on from last summer’s racist riots, campaigners warned today.

The anniversary of the shocking anti-immigration riots comes as anti-fascists prepare to push back against far-right demonstrations planned up and down the country.

Unrest gripped Britain in July last year after far-right agitators exploited the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport. 

Disorder erupted after lies spread online claiming that the attacker was a Muslim who had arrived by boat.

Colette Batten-Turner, chief executive of Conversation Over Borders, said that “the fear never left” many of the asylum-seekers that they support.

She said: “People are still stuck in the same unsafe hotel system that became sitting targets for racist violence and enabled the attacks in the first place.”

Unrest has continued this summer, with mobs launching fireworks, damaging police cars and attacking security guards outside an asylum-seeker hotel in Epping during protests in July.

Care4Calais CEO Steve Smith said it is “deeply concerning” that people who have fled horrors such as war and torture are once again facing far-right hate.

“People are telling us they are scared to leave their accommodation because of the violent scenes we have witnessed in Epping,” he said.

Similar protests were reported in Norwich, Canary Wharf, Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Leeds.

Stand Up to Racism (SUTR), which mobilised 700 counter-demonstrators in Epping last Sunday, has planned demonstrations throughout August to continue pushing back against the far right.

Anti-fascists will gather in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens tomorrow from 11.30am to counter a “mass protest” by Britain First.

Local trade unions, the Labour group, the Greens and Muslim organisations are staging a No Fascists in Islington demonstration outside the Barbican Thistle Hotel in London, beginning at midday, endorsed by Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn.

Activists will also mobilise at noon outside the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle to oppose the far-right “Great British National Protest.”

Another rally is planned outside the Roman Way Hotel in Cannock from 11am.

Further demonstrations are planned in Portsmouth, Southampton, Liverpool, Bournemouth and Dover over the next two weeks.

SUTR co-convener Sabby Dhalu said: “From violent racist attacks by fascist street thugs, to political attacks from Reform UK, Tories and the Labour government — it’s a horrendous time to be a refugee. 

“There have been consistent fascist demonstrations targeting refugee accommodation for several years, since Suella Braverman described asylum-seekers as an ‘invasion.’ Racism at the top leads to racism on the ground.

“We urge the Labour government to stop the anti-refugee policies and place dignity and human rights at the heart of asylum rights.”

Robert Parker of Paisley and District Trade Union Council faced-off far-right agitation from Patriotic Alternative and Homeland for more than a year at the Muthu Glasgow River Hotel in Erskine.

Offering his advice to counter-protesters, he said: “Moving your response to the threat is key — not being tied to the one course of action seemed to catch them off guard.

“Erskine was possibly unique as we had space to interact with the refugees — mainly caused by the fun day that broke the Mears [contractor] stranglehold on them staying in the hotel.

“The change from direct confrontation with the far right to ignoring them and focusing on building relationships with the refugees worked, but even then, we still needed to move on, and physically occupying their space also worked.

“It took continuous action, in the community to counter misinformation, and at the hotel itself for over a year to see them off, but there’s still a need for vigilance.”

Migrants Rights Network CEO Fizza Qureshi said: “A year on from the racist riots of summer 2024, it’s clear we haven’t learnt anything. 

“Over the last 12 months, both the far-right presence has increased, and racist demonstrations have broken out in Ballymena and Epping, while demonstrations outside asylum accommodation have become the norm. 

“The far right are quickly inflaming communities struggling with years of austerity and the cost of living in order to scapegoat migrants.

“At the same time, the media and politicians are helping to normalise these racist narratives by framing them as being the result of ‘legitimate concerns around migration.’

“We need to stop letting the far right define the agenda, start pushing back against anti-migrant disinformation and hold politicians accountable.”