Agnes Peters, a care worker in Manchester, said she was verbally abused and had objects thrown at her from a slowly moving car as she walked home from work last year. She said bystanders watched and recorded the incident, while one person challenged the attackers.
Peters believes racist abuse has become more visible and that people who target minorities increasingly expect public support. Her account reflects wider concerns raised by anti-racism groups about violence and intimidation across the United Kingdom.
Anti-migrant protests and street-level abuse
Protests against asylum accommodation and migration have taken place in several English towns. Nahella Ashraf, a Manchester organiser with Stand Up to Racism, said demonstrations outside mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers can lead to people being targeted because of their appearance, regardless of their immigration status.
Far-right activist Daniel Thomas drew attention after filming himself damaging an inflatable rescue boat in the Channel while a rescue worker was aboard. His group, Patriot Platform, has taken part in anti-migrant actions at Dover and Portsmouth ports and discussed bringing a large demonstration to Piddington, Oxfordshire, where residents have opposed plans to house asylum seekers.
Political rhetoric under scrutiny
The debate has reached national politics. Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin was criticised after saying migrants and refugees posed a threat to “indigenous white women”. Paul Jackson, a University of Northampton researcher, said politicians can help normalise far-right ideas when they adopt them in mainstream debate.
Reform UK figure Zia Yusuf faced criticism after highlighting that Labour politician Sagal Abdi-Wali was born in Somalia. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds called the post racist. Conservative politician Robert Jenrick was criticised in 2025 for remarks about the racial makeup of Birmingham, while Conservative MP Nick Timothy drew criticism this year for describing a large Muslim prayer gathering in Trafalgar Square as an act of domination.
Researchers have linked the growing visibility of far-right activism to the spread of far-right themes by established political and media figures. A spokesperson for the Institute of Race Relations also warned that anti-immigrant rhetoric in Parliament can affect public safety.
Organisers point to solidarity
Despite these concerns, community organisers say support for refugees and minorities remains strong. Ashraf said local events continue to bring new people into anti-racism work. She also described children offering books to refugees at a school event as an encouraging sign of solidarity.
