Put yourself in their place for a moment. Terrified refugees, lodging in an English city, a raucous, aggressive mob at the door, intent on violence and harm.

Perhaps the police line will hold. But might the attackers come back? When will you ever feel safe again?

These were not random events. These riots were concocted in a cauldron of anger, hatred, racism, ignorance, inadequacy and fear.

Contemplate context. Firstly, the challenge to the police and intelligence services. This was an inchoate threat from a disparate grouping. Far Right activists with a racial agenda. But also bitter, uncertain people, motivated by incomprehension and anxiety.

There is no single organisation here to infiltrate. No army council with whom to hold secret talks.

Given that, the authorities are to be commended for gathering what information they could about planned events.

Anti-racism counter protesters in London (Image: free)

Then the nature of the trouble itself. These were not demos which got a bit out of hand. For many, violence was the purpose. The intent. Onlookers and vague sympathisers were carried along.

Indeed, senior police officers have said terrorism charges could arise in some circumstances. The aim was to intimidate refugees, to target premises occupied by citizens from ethnic minorities.

Not, you understand, with any precise or measurable purpose. This was visceral, not strategic.

But be in no doubt. This was an explicit and serious challenge to our democratic system.

There is in our society much talk of the right to protest, the right to dissent. This week we were reminded of the........

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