The town hall is reviewing its civil contingencies and emergency procedures following a large-scale anti-racism demonstration in early August, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Waltham Forest Council says tackling disinformation will be a priority following a far-right protest that did not materialise.
Council officers said it will be a “tough nut to crack” but committed to rooting it out at a meeting last night (Thursday 26th).
The public protection scrutiny committee was told the communications team, which oversees its messaging and marketing, “regularly monitors” social media.
The town hall was reviewing its civil contingencies and emergency procedures following a large-scale anti-racism demonstration in early August.
Images showing Walthamstow was a purported target for far-right rioters had circulated on social media following a week of unrest in northern parts of England.
A counter-demonstration in Hoe Street, held on the evening of 7th August, brought together as many as 10,000 people, according to council figures.
No far-right protesters were seen in the borough and the demonstration remained peaceful.
Kira Lewis, the committee’s vice chair, said disinformation had been a “huge” factor and residents had been “scared” by the rumours.
John Molyneux, the council’s assistant director of public protection, said challenging false information would be a “huge piece of work” but was a central focus.
In a council report, published this week, he wrote: “The advent of technology has had an impact on this issue, making it easier to communicate to a wide audience, and permit misinformation to be spread – knowingly or unknowingly.”
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Cllr Lewis also expressed concern over how word can spread in WhatsApp groups, which they said were “hidden from public view”. They were told the communications team was “aware” of various groups on the encrypted messaging platform and had joined some.
The riots, which saw hundreds of Brits arrested and jailed, were sparked by the killing of three young girls in Stockport in late July. Police believe they were fuelled by false rumours that the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker.
Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, said the rioters had been “defeated” by a “show of unity and force,” though others speculated no protest had been actually organised.
Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy initially appeared to advocate people stay away from the protest for safety reasons, but later thanked residents for “keeping Walthamstow safe” and called the neighbourhood “the house of love”.
Police made four arrests in Walthamstow in relation to people allegedly being drunk and disorderly and carrying offensive weapons, but said the event occurred without “major incident or disruption”.
John Molyneux said council officers underwent “regular training and briefings” that cover a variety of potential incidents, such as floods or evacuations.
Roy Berg, a Conservative councillor, said it was “all well and good” having procedures on paper, but “when it hits the fan, it can all go out the window” without training.
The last large-scale exercise was performed last April, but further training had been planned for next month.
The council’s internal review of its response to the protest will be tied to its response to the Grenfell Inquiry, it said.
John wrote: “As well as using the recent protest in Walthamstow as a mechanism for review, the council will also refer to the Grenfell Inquiry report to consider its own arrangements as a multifunctional council, considering its duties as a housing provider, developer, regulator and Category-1 responder to the potential risks and incidents that can take place within the borough and across the London region.”
Editor’s note (30/09): This article has been updated with Cllr Lewis’ correct pronouns
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