There is only one topic I feel I must focus on this week and it’s the appalling scenes outside the Holiday Inn here in Tamworth on Sunday evening. What we saw was disturbing and shocking. I can only try and imagine what it felt like for the people inside the hotel. It must have been extremely frightening and intimidating. Fortunately, no one in the hotel was physically hurt, although I know a police officer and police dog were injured, and we wish them all the best in their recovery.
As I said in my joint statement with our Chief Executive, we will do everything in our power to support the authorities to ensure the perpetrators are brought to account for their actions, and the full force of the law is brought to bear. I would urge anyone who has information that can help identify those responsible to call 101 or use the Live Chat on the Staffordshire police website. To report anonymously, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
I will always defend the right everyone has to express their views and for people to protest peacefully and responsibly. However, this violence, intimidation and disorder is totally unacceptable. I have lived in Tamworth most of my life and I raised my children here, and I was deeply saddened to see this sort of violence happen in the town I love. But, like you, I know that these events are not a reflection of this town and its communities. And as I’ve heard so many people say over the last few days, ‘not in my name’.
I want to pay tribute to the police and the emergency services for their professionalism, bravery and dedication in handling the situation. Thank you to our amazing Street Scene team who worked hard to clean-up the area and also to the volunteers who came down on Monday morning to support the clean-up operation. You embody the values that we hold dear.
A huge thank you to local organisations and our churches who have made quiet spaces for people to go to for reflection. We must do everything we can to ensure that we never see this sort of behaviour again, here in Tamworth.
Although there is widespread shock and upset over what has happened, I sense a steely determination to work together across all of our communities and partners to ensure the town is a safe place in which to live, work and visit.
We will come out of this stronger.
Cllr. Carol Dean
Leader, Tamworth Borough Council
carol-dean@tamworth.gov.uk