Singaporeans living in UK on 'high alert' amid anti-immigration riots, xenophobic sentiments

SINGAPORE: As riots fuelled by anti-immigrant sentiment spread across the United Kingdom, Singaporean Shereen Williams has been especially on edge over the past week - more so given that she is Muslim. 

“When you are a visible minority living in a country where some people out there have no qualms in spitting on you or hitting you … I live my life on high alert,” said the 42-year-old who lives in Wales.

Even simple acts like going out for lunch or walking on a sidewalk have made her “a bit more nervous”, she added.

“It just takes one person who behaves in that way to put your life at risk,” said Mrs Williams, who is chief executive of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, an independent public body in Wales. 

She is among thousands of Singaporeans living in the UK, some who shared their concerns with CNA about the escalating tensions there.  

The unrest erupted on Jul 30, a day after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a dance class in the town of Southport near Liverpool.

Protesters were fuelled by anger and false rumours online that the suspected attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker. The suspect was later identified as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, born in Wales. His parents had moved to Britain from Rwanda, which has very few Muslims.

That has not stopped mosques from being targeted by rioters.

The unrest spread to multiple towns and cities over the weekend. Skirmishes broke out at far-right rallies in places such as Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool and Hull, as well as Belfast in Northern Ireland.

The Singapore High Commission in London said on Aug 4 that it is monitoring the situation in the UK.

“Singaporeans residing in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to stay vigilant and avoid the affected areas where possible,” the high commission said on X. 

FAR-RIGHT SENTIMENTS

Mrs Williams is no stranger to the dangers of growing far-right sentiments.

She said that in her 19 years living in Wales, she has been spat on and even hit on the head once by a stranger - incidents she suspects were fuelled by xenophobia. 

As a former lead officer for community cohesion and counter-extremism for the area of Newport in Wales, Mrs Williams understands how such sentiments can desecrate community ties and leave minorities at risk. 

She had braced herself for potential violence when she heard about the killing of the three girls in Southport and the subsequent misinformation about the suspect.

“It’s not the first time… (tensions) usually flare up after terror incidents in the UK, and I think after the stabbings occurred, depending on who did it, it will light up some fires,” she said. 

This is, however, the worst riots she has observed in almost two decades living in the UK. 

“I didn’t think it would be to this extent, that hotels are being set on fire, libraries burnt down,” she said. “All the speculation isn’t helpful on social media, and politicians have a big part to play in instigating the response.” 

In the next few weeks, she said she will be on her toes and make small lifestyle changes such as not staying out too late. 

But even as riots continue across the UK, Mrs Williams said she has also seen community groups rallying against racism. 

In the city of Cardiff, there was a “counter-protest” that drew crowds of about 200 people who stood in solidarity with minorities affected by anti-immigration sentiments.

Such displays of unity have given her the strength to carry on with her role as a community activist. 

“I’m not going to stop because someone has strong feelings about the way I look, or my immigration status,” she said. 

CHANGING DAILY ROUTINES TO AVOID THE RIOTS

While Mrs Williams has avoided the worst of the riots, 20-year-old Singaporean Jaynie Tan had to change some of her daily routines due to the protests.

She lives in Sheffield, close to cities and towns where riots have broken out.

The University of Sheffield student said that while protests in the city have not turned into riots yet, a hotel in the neighbouring town of Rotherham had been set on fire. 

"That was really concerning, because it's so close by," said Ms Tan, who has been living in the UK for four years and is working in a gym during her summer break. 

Protests have been planned in Sheffield city centre on Wednesday, she said, adding that she would stay in her workplace for an extra hour to avoid the commotion.

She also plans to stay in after getting home and avoid going out after dark.

"I would prefer to avoid the unrest altogether, given I would be alone and am both short and female," she said. 

KEEPING WATCH ON DEVELOPMENTS 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said violent protesters who had targeted Muslim communities would swiftly face the "full force of the law" as he sought to quell days of anti-immigration rioting.

One Singaporean in London said that while she has not been affected by the unrest, she is nevertheless keeping close tabs on the situation. 

Ms Kimberly Ho, who moved to London a year-and-a-half ago with her husband, said she initially thought the violence would be isolated to the northern areas of the UK, but was alarmed by talk that the rioters could “storm Downing Street”, the official residences and offices of the prime minister. 

“But London is large enough to avoid these places when you are aware that some places may be targeted,” she said. 

The 30-year-old added that in areas where she lives and works, it has been business as usual. And while she has the fleeting worry that far-right groups may also target ethnic Chinese people like her and her husband, she thinks London has a population that is diverse enough to allow her to feel “in the crowd”. 

“In London, almost everyone is a minority,” she explained.

She added that she is planning a trip to the countryside in the UK's southeast region, but is ready to cancel it or change plans depending on the situation.

“Since more attacks have happened over the weekend, there is a bit more of a concern over whether (the trip) will continue,” she said.

“We will be keeping an ear to the ground.”