Somerset Council Leader Bill Revans has condemned recent attacks on faith buildings in Somerset and made it clear that hate has no home in the county.
Cllr Revans made the comments at Full Council in response to a question from Cllr Habib Farbahi which referenced acts of vandalism on the Mosque in Taunton and the Portuguese Church in Bridgwater.
In his response, Cllr Revans said:
On behalf of Somerset Council and our residents, I must strongly condemn the worrying incidents you have referenced. Hate has no home in Somerset and criminal acts like these aimed to intimidate others must not be tolerated. We must stand together to oppose the small minority who seek to intimidate or divide us.
He went on to describe how the council is working with the police and community groups to identify where tensions are rising, to increase understanding, and to challenge misinformation.
He added:
Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. By recognising and embracing our differences, we lay the foundation for stronger, more resilient communities – ensuring Somerset remains a place where everyone belongs.
This week Cllr Revans also co-signed an open letter to residents of Avon and Somerset alongside Clare Moody, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and other Council Leaders from the policing area:
- Cllr Kevin Guy – Bath and North East Somerset Council;
- Cllr Tony Dyer – Bristol City Council;
- Cllr Mike Bell – North Somerset Council; and
- Cllr Maggie Tyrrell and Co-leader, Cllr Ian Boulton – South Gloucestershire Council.
This letter sought to reassure residents that councils are working with police to ensure everyone feels safe and supported. It said:
We are investing in neighbourhood policing, supporting community groups, and encouraging everyone to report hate crime. We urge anyone who has experienced or witnessed a hate crime or criminal damage to come forward. You will be listened to and there is support available for you from the police and partners.
Our message is clear: we are united against hate. Together, we will ensure Avon and Somerset remains a place where everyone can live, work, and thrive free from hate.
For details of what a hate crime is, how to report it to the police, and also what to do if you witness it, visit Avon and Somerset Police’s Report hate crime page.
For more information about support available to victims of hate crime, or for details around alternative ways to report, visit Avon and Somerset Police’s Support for victims of hate crime page.
The full question and response:
Question from Cllr Habib Farbahi:
Given the recent attacks on the Mosque in Taunton, the Portuguese Church in Bridgwater, and protests outside asylum seeker accommodation, many residents are understandably concerned about safety and community harmony.
May I ask what steps Somerset Council and its partners are taking, in collaboration with the police and other agencies, to:
- Prevent any further escalation of tensions.
- Reassure residents, particularly those from ethnic minority and faith communities, that they are valued, equal citizens of this country; and
- Strengthen our commitment to community cohesion n and inclusion during these troubling times.
Clear and visible leadership is vital in ensuring that all communities across Somerset feel safe, respected, and protected.
Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Revans:
Thank you for the question and the opportunity to address this current situation.
Somerset’s motto is Somersaete Aelle – All the people of Somerset.
Over the last century we have welcomed to Somerset: in 1914 Belgians; in the 1930s – Spanish and Jewish people, Ugandan Asians to Doniford Camp in the 1970s and now people from Afghanistan and Ukraine (as well as from many other places) in times of war and strife. They and their descendants have contributed hugely to our communities.
Highbridge’s Frank Foley saved tens of thousands of Jewish lives, by bending the rules in his position as a passport officer in the British embassy.
I grew up in the small Somerset village of Goathurst where there were Italian and German POWs from Halswell House Camp who had stayed in Somerset after World War Two to make new lives here. From bitter enemies, they became colleagues, neighbours, friends and families.
Somerset soldiers, sailors and airmen in the two world wars fought alongside forces from the empire, including the Indian subcontinent, African colonies and Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Today we welcome the 96 different nationalities that are keeping Somerset NHS going and probably more if we widen that out to social care.
African American segregated regiments built Musgrove Park Hospital in the early 1940s, just as today workers from all over the world are here building essential national infrastructure at Hinkley Point C.
On behalf of Somerset Council and our residents, I strongly condemn the worrying incidents you have referenced. Hate has no home in Somerset and criminal acts like these aimed to intimidate others must not be tolerated. We must stand together to oppose the small minority who seek to intimidate or divide us.
In recent weeks we have seen an increase in flags being flown across the country, including here in Somerset. National symbols hold significant meaning, and it is natural to take pride in them. Yet, it’s crucial to ensure these are used to foster belonging, not division.
We understand some residents may want to show a feeling of national pride and they are welcome to do so on their own property, just as we as a Council take pride in flying different flags on many different occasions – the Union Flag, the St George’s Flag, the Somerset flag, and many others flags which fly in support of Somerset Council’s services and the remarkable diversity woven into the fabric of our communities.
Somerset remains a welcoming and vibrant place, and it is our collective responsibility to maintain and nurture that spirit.
We remain committed to working with our partners to reduce the current tensions that some communities are experiencing. We are working with the Police to identify where tensions are rising and what steps we can take together to minimise these.
Understanding is vital to make sure we can appreciate one another and the contributions we all bring. We will continue to challenge misinformation around asylum and immigration and increase understanding of the positive benefits of different communities in Somerset. I have met with officials from Churches Together Somerset and representatives of other faiths to ensure them of our support and urge them to work together and with us.
I am also keen we note that increased tensions in one section of our community will also likely increase the tension in other communities. When we spoke to our communities forum, which represents equality groups in Somerset, following the riots last summer it was clear these groups were also feeling more vulnerable.
This can be an unintended consequence of how we choose to voice our views and opinions.
As a Council, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment in Somerset in which all individuals feel valued and included and the work this entails. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. By recognising and embracing our differences, we lay the foundation for stronger, more resilient communities – ensuring Somerset remains a place where everyone belongs.
Finally as the Leader of Somerset Council I want to thank all our staff for their hard work and dedication and tell them they are all welcome in this organisation and our communities. I also want to reconfirm the welcome Somerset has to all those that require a safe harbour, a place to call home and a place to thrive. We all contribute to making Somerset an amazing County to live, work and visit.
