Sixty representatives from more than 30 community organisations gathered at Tower Hamlets Town Hall on 21 July for a Summer Resilience Briefing focused on community preparedness, cohesion and resilience in response to rising levels of hate by the far right and hostile social media activity targeting the borough's diverse communities.
The event, organised by Tower Hamlets Council, brought together community organisations, faith leaders, universities, youth representatives, members of the Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum, council officers and Metropolitan Police representatives to discuss emerging risks and strengthen partnership working.
Tower Hamlets is one of the UK's most diverse places, generating the third-highest economic output in the country while remaining a welcoming home to people from across the globe. The borough is also recognised for its strong community cohesion, with 91 per cent of residents saying that people from different backgrounds get on well together. This is particularly significant given that Tower Hamlets is the most densely populated local authority area in the country.
Despite this strong local cohesion, communities have expressed growing concern about increasing levels of online hate, hostile commentary and attempts by external groups to create division and tension within the borough. Recent demonstrations and activity linked to groups opposed to diversity and inclusion have heightened these concerns.
Standing together against division is firmly embedded in Tower Hamlets' history and identity. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street, when local residents, trade unionists, faith groups and anti-fascist campaigners united in 1936 to prevent Sir Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists from marching through the East End. The anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of the borough's long-standing commitment to unity, inclusion and standing up against hatred.
Panellists at the Summer Resilience Briefing included Simon Smith, the council's Head of Public Protection, Chief Inspector Chris Brown, Head of Neighbourhood Policing for the Metropolitan Police in Tower Hamlets, and Inspector Ben Hughes, who provided insights into police operations and partnership activity to address hate incidents and community tensions.
Councillor Faysal Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Life Chances, said:
"Conversations like these are vital because they strengthen partnerships, build understanding and help us respond collectively to the challenges facing our community.
"Your presence here today sends a clear message that our borough will not stand by in the face of hatred and division. The same spirit of solidarity that defined the Battle of Cable Street remains as strong today as it was 90 years ago.
"Tower Hamlets has the youngest population in London, with an average age of just 30. Young people bring enormous passion, energy and commitment to these issues, and it is essential that they are part of the conversations and decisions that shape their future."
A robust discussion followed the presentations, highlighting the importance of continued engagement between the council, the Metropolitan Police and community organisations. Participants also raised concerns about negative narratives promoted by individuals and groups from outside the borough that risk damaging Tower Hamlets' reputation and undermining community confidence.
Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE, President of Shomrim in Stamford Hill and Founder and Chairman of the Muslim-Jewish Forum, said:
"The scapegoating, provocation and targeting of Jews in the past led to their national exile. Muslims today are being scapegoated, provoked and intimidated, creating tensions and increasing the risk of division and conflict.
"Tower Hamlets is my second home. It is vital that the police continue to ensure that peace, community safety and the protection of local people remain paramount, while preventing those who seek to provoke and intimidate communities from doing so."
Posted on Wednesday 5th August 2026