After the Conservative Party’s announcement of plans to establish a deportation service for migrants, political rhetoric around immigration in the United Kingdom has grown even harsher. Charitable and human rights groups note that the language of politics is increasingly turning into the language of hate—and that words are now being followed by threats and violence.
Charities have warned of a surge in racist abuse, intimidation and violent attacks targeting their staff and beneficiaries amid increasingly aggressive rhetoric about migration and race from politicians and extremist activists.
According to sector representatives, they have been forced to implement extensive security measures to protect people and property—a trend one charity leader described as “the new normal.” Organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers, Muslim, Jewish and ethnic minority communities, women’s and youth groups, and homelessness charities have all come under attack. Even charity shops have reported facing violence, threats and harassment.
Incidents include threats to rape and kill staff, verbal and physical assaults on beneficiaries in the streets, and attempted break-ins, vandalism and racist or anti-migrant graffiti on buildings.
“Organisations are being targeted because of what they stand for and who they support,” said Saskia Konynenburg, executive director at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
According to sector leaders, the level of threats has become higher and more personal since the far-right riots in Southport in 2024 and the spread of inflammatory political and media rhetoric about immigrants and “small boats.” The language of hatred and aggression—both online and offline—has grown markedly more explicit.
A coalition of more than 150 organisations, including Age UK, Citizens Advice and the Muslim Council of Britain, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging him to condemn the “cynical” attacks by far-right politicians and activists seeking to sow division for political gain.
“The horrific antisemitic attack at the Heaton Park synagogue was a tragic reminder that there has never been a more crucial time for unity when any of our communities come under attack,” said Ali Harris, executive director of the human rights organisation Equally Ours, which coordinated the appeal. “We stand together because we are facing growing hostility and threats—in places of worship, offices, shops, on transport and in the streets. People with extremist views are increasingly resorting to violence to express their hate.”
A charity leader told The Guardian that right-wing political rhetoric denigrating immigrants and refugees and fuelling ethnic division has effectively created “a permissive environment” for racism and emboldened far-right activists.
Last month, the building of a charity providing support for people with alcohol and drug addiction in East London—formerly sharing premises with a refugee support centre—was vandalised with the cross of St George and far-right symbols. Volunteers repainted the façade, but the vandals soon returned and scrawled the slogan “East London Supports Southport,” a reference to last year’s riots.
Some organisations have been forced to take extreme security measures: installing safe rooms, equipping staff with trackers, hiring guards, removing signage and deleting the names of employees and trustees from public registers. Others have temporarily closed offices on police advice, suspended outreach programmes for safety reasons and drawn up contingency plans in case of attack.
A senior official at a charity supporting refugees said that “60% of our time is now spent managing security issues linked to far-right activity.” Another organisation is considering purchasing personal alarm devices worth several thousand pounds.
The head of a London-based charity working with asylum seekers noted that the threats have had “a chilling effect,” but the team has no intention of backing down: “We do this work because we care. The people we support have been through terrible things and deserve at least a little kindness.”
In their letter to the Prime Minister, the organisations called on the government to show “clear and consistent leadership,” defend the values of inclusivity, equality and opposition to racism, and take a firm stand against the “division and hatred” stoked by politicians exploiting public fears for electoral gain.
“We see the damage caused to all communities by far-right attempts to sow division, undermine the rule of law and use violence against women and girls as a weapon,” the statement said.
“We are witnessing rising levels of racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and antisemitism—on the streets, in workplaces, and directed at staff and volunteers in charity shops. Added to this are media attacks and threats against lawyers and civil society organisations assisting migrants and vulnerable groups.”
A government spokesperson said: “Racism is utterly unacceptable and has no place in our society. We are proud to live in a tolerant and diverse country and are committed to tackling inequality by working closely with ethnic community leaders. The United Kingdom has a robust legal system that allows those who commit such abhorrent crimes to be brought to justice.”