This morning, we were shocked to hear of the appalling overnight events in Finsbury Park, where Londoners were attacked after leaving evening prayers. Our deepest sympathies and thoughts go out to all those affected by the attack.

We’re doing all we can to work with the police, community leaders and our partners across the borough to make sure that our residents are free to live as they choose. 

Over the coming days, extra police officers will be patrolling the city, and, this morning, we have re-tasked Council CCTV and enforcement officers to provide additional support to places of worship and cultural centres in the borough.

London and Hackney are brilliant, diverse places, where people from all backgrounds – different nationalities, religions and sexualities – share streets, schools, parks, halls, workplaces and, crucially, our common values of tolerance and respect.

Just this weekend, with More in Common and Great Get Together events taking place across the borough, and nationwide, we celebrated Hackney’s diversity. We both attended several of these, including at Hackney Community College, Shoreditch Park and at Woodberry Down, not far from last night’s attack. Each one of these events proved that the spirit of Hackney, where we share and celebrate each other’s diversity, won’t be broken. 

We owe it to those affected by last night’s attack, and other recent events, to ensure that our borough and capital remains the special, welcoming place that it is.