Bracknell's Muslim community are ‘really scared’ for their safety following the outbreak of violence nationally over the past week, a spokesperson has said.

Mr Basit Kuko-Iyii, chairman of the Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society, has spoken to the News about the concerns of the community.

He said: “The most important thing for us is for people to be safe. Finish work and come home, go to the shops and then come home.”

He added that the community ‘are not sure what is going to happen in the next moment’, meaning everyone feels ‘really scared’.

Violence broke out across the UK last week following the fatal stabbings of three young girls at a dance class in Southport, Merseyside. Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old British citizen born in Cardiff, was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged. Misinformation circulating on social media about his immigration status led to him being publicly identified by the court.

Many mosques have been targeted across the country during the ongoing violence, including a mosque in Southport, in which rioters threw bricks, bottles and other missiles.

Hotels housing asylum seekers have also been targeted, with one being broken into in Rotherham.

Another member of their organisation said that the ongoing unrest was ‘very disturbing’ leaving the community feeling ‘unsafe’.

Mr Kuko-Iyii praised local leaders, the police and fire services. He said his organisation has received support form the leader of Bracknell Forest Council, Mary Temperton, and Peter Swallow MP.

Rumours have circulated online whether a protests will take place in nearby Reading this week. Today, (July 7) shops on the high street have been advised to close, but police have said that it is ‘business as usual’.

Mr Kuko-Iyii said: “We are worried about it, Reading is not far from us, it’s just next door.”

The MP for Bracknell, Peter Swallow, has said he ‘utterly condemns’ the recent violence carried out ‘by a very small group of far-right thugs’.

Although he has received support locally, he believes more needs to be done by the national government – particularly with social media. He said the spreading of fake news is ‘making it worse’.

Mr Swallow said: “The Prime Minister has made it clear that anyone committing a criminal act will feel the full force of the law, whether their actions take place in the streets or online.”

More than 400 people have been arrested following the riots, and 100 people charged.