‘Scenes of anarchy’ have reportedly left people in Slough feeling scared and at risk after a series of racist riots nationally across Britain.

A group of councillors in Slough said the riots were ‘fuelled by racism, hate and Islamophobia’ and called on the local authority to take ‘swift action’ to help protect communities.

Councillor Zaffar Ajaib said: “Many members of the community are feeling at risk with heightened levels of anxiety.

"Slough is no stranger to racist or Islamophobic attacks. Our message needs to be clear – Slough is one community, and we stand together against all types of hate and discrimination.”

Councillor Sabia Akram added that the scenes across Britain – including recent attacks on mosques and refugees – ‘are frankly quite scary'.

The call from the councillors follows more than a week of violence nationally, beginning with an attack on a mosque in Southport, Merseyside. It followed the murder of three young children during a dance class in Southport – Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar – on July 29 after which false claims circulated online that the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker.

The accused – who has been arrested and charged – was identified in court as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana.

Crowds gathered outside Southport Mosque on July 30 and threw bricks at it, as well as setting fire to cars and wheelie bins nearby. Other riots that followed included an attempt by rioters to set fire to a hotel in Rotherham while refugees were inside on Sunday, August 4.

Rioters also attempted to attack mosques in Sunderland and in Middlesbrough, where they were also filmed stopping cars to check if drivers were white before letting them through.

Councillors from the Slough Independent Group sent their condolences to the families of the murdered children in Southport and other victims of the attack. They have also emailed support to the leader and mayor of the town’s council, Sefton. And they congratulated those who tried to fight off the attacker in Southport, as well as those ‘who came together following the horrifying riot outside the mosque'.

The councillors' statement added: “Since that attack, we have watched scenes of anarchy and destruction play out across the UK. Shocking incidents fuelled by racism, hate and Islamophobia.

“We understand the concerns many of our places of worship, residents and businesses will have and have called upon the council leadership to take swift action in ensuring everyone is informed of what actions our public services and organisations are taking to safeguard public safety and security in these uncertain times.”

Slough Borough Council leader Dexter Smith said: “The council work closely with the police to develop and review comprehensive community safety plans and ensure we are ready to offer a co-ordinated response to anything that threatens to put community safety at risk locally.

“Slough is no place for hate or hate crime and, I am sure, our residents wish to stand shoulder to shoulder with the innocent and violated residents of Southport in their grief.”