TAUNTON Town Council leaders have shared a statement “to assure all of our residents that there is no place for violence and discrimination” in the town after the recent nationwide unrest.

Cllr Tom Deakin, leader of the council, and Cllr Packer-Hughes, deputy leader, said: “In light of recent and ongoing events across the UK, We want to assure all of our residents that there is no place for violence and discrimination in Taunton.

“We are proud that as a council, we demonstrate the values of inclusivity and respect.

“We support the City of Sanctuary vision that the UK will be a welcoming place of safety for all and proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution.

“We will also shortly be signing the Charter for Compassion, which aims to ‘promote empathy, peace, social justice, environmental sustainability, and intercultural understanding in a world riddled in turmoil’.

“Our priorities for Taunton are for our town to be prosperous with a vibrant culture, this will come about through collaboration not division.

“Those who seek to spread hatred through dividing communities, spreading fear and causing mindless damage do not represent our town and the thousands of amazing people who live here.

“We strongly condemn the violent actions of a few and urge any of our residents who are affected to report each and every instance of a hate crime to Avon and Somerset Police.”