Charities across the UK have reported a sharp rise in abuse, intimidation, and threats of violence towards staff and beneficiaries, which was attributed to increasingly toxic political rhetoric on immigration and race.
Organisations supporting refugees, asylum seekers, ethnic minorities, women, and vulnerable groups say they have faced racist graffiti, physical assaults, and threats of rape and murder.
Many have been forced to install security measures, including safe rooms, security guards, and phone trackers for staff.
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) said charities were being “targeted because of what they stand for and who they support.”
Saskia Konynenburg, NCVO’s executive director, described the situation as “deeply concerning” and warned it risked becoming the new normal.
The threats have intensified since the 2024 Southport riots and the rise of inflammatory anti-immigrant rhetoric online and in politics. Charities say the hostility has become more explicit, emboldening far-right activists.
In response, more than 150 charities including Age UK, Citizens Advice, and the Muslim Council of Britain have written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging him to confront what they called the cynical targeting of civil society by far-right figures seeking to exploit division.
Ali Harris, chief executive of Equally Ours, which coordinated the letter, said: “We are seeing growing threats and aggression in places of worship, on public transport, and in our offices. People with extreme views are becoming increasingly violent.”
Some organisations have had to close temporarily or suspend outreach work due to safety fears. One refugee charity said managing threats from far-right groups now consumes 60 per cent of our time.
A government spokesperson condemned the abuse, saying racism and hate crime have no place in our society and that perpetrators would be brought to justice.
