Cancel holiday to Cornwall due to riots?!

[ShouldICancel]

I've name changed for this as I feel quite silly even asking this! We're meant to be in Cornwall from this weekend for 7 nights and DH is saying we'll have to wait and see what happens with all the riots. For context, we're brown, but not Muslim (I say this because I know Muslims are being sadly targeted :( )

At first I thought DH is overly cautious (which he tends to be) and needs a reality check, but having said that, for the first time in almost 18 years I've felt a bit unsafe in the UK, so maybe I'm the one who needs a reality check.

While most of the news has focused on the riots in the north, I wanted to check with those in South (especially Cornwall) if you've seen any issues? Would it be safe to travel? My parents will also be joining us, but they will be travelling by train from Paddington. I'm hoping the train journey is safe. My parents don't live in the UK and are just visiting over the summer, so they do sometimes stand out more than me, DH and the kids.

TIA!

We're in SE Cornwall OP and there have been no riots to my knowledge west of Bristol.
My neighbours (muslim), haven't had any problems when we were chatting at the weekend. You are probably safer here than anywhere else in the UK.

I agree, can't see why Torquay and Exeter would be top of the list.

I am ashamed that you have to even think about this. I am so sorry.

But do go on holiday. Irrational hatred - whether misogynistic or racist or factional, might happen anywhere. It shouldn't dictate where you feel you have a right to be or what you have a right to enjoy.

I'd be surprised if there were riots in Cornwall or the Lake district. Everyone is off enjoying themselves. there aren't big groups of people, just families and couples usually.

There were reports in the Metro, Daily Mail, Mirror, etc.

I’m here now. Penzance. Not seen a single
shred of evidence of any bother. Lots of different accents and skin colours all enjoying the holidays. It must be scary but I think you’ve maybe got a bit of skewed perspective because of the news. Quite understandably.

I live in Devon and very close to the border of Cornwall and honestly here it's like the riots haven't even happened, nobody is talking about it and everyone is just getting on as normal. I am very rural though.

I'm Devon, but riots just don't happen in here or Cornwall. (or the Lakes).

As PP said, if it were to happen anywhere, it would be the cities, like Exeter, Plymouth etc.

Devon can be predominantly white in some areas, but a lot of that is down to the farming nature of the county. Lots of locals live here and have done for generations.

Non whites are very much in the minority, so I can understand that people might feel like they stand out. But it is just the way it is round here, with people growing up and remaining here, several generations of farming families etc.

Also, there is more work in the towns and cities, so people only tend to move to the villages if they get jobs in the local area.

I would only cancel a trip on safety grounds, if I was going to one of the major cities.

I’m so sorry that you feel unsafe, it’s utterly disgusting, shameful and unjust

Heartbreaking in 2024 this needs to be a question but we've had similar as not one member of the family is the same colour as the other ! In lighter times this has been no more than a light hearted observation but now we are feeling it - if we had a holiday booked to Cornwall though we would definitely go - very nice people down there but also, relax, otherwise your DH might mistake a grumpy person for a racist x

Enjoy your holiday, OP. The main feeling of people in my tien (N.Cornwall) is disgust towards the rioters.

You are welcome here and I apologise for the sticker price shock you will have, in the car parks. Bloody council put them up before the season started.

I don't think it's silly at all to be concerned, please don't second guess yourself. I am sorry that you even have to consider this.

While Cornwall will likely be fine and riot free, people feeling eboldened to openly make racist remarks is definitely a risk the country over and many brown and black people are quite reasonably feeling on edge and scared. That said, I think you will be okay. You'll probably just get the usual common or garden covert racism that happens to people of colour all the time in this country. I have found Cornwall to be very white in the past, but never actually had any issues

I do hope you can have a peaceful and lovely holiday. While it's exhausting to have to be brave (to go on holiday in your own country for godsake) I hope you can feel strong enough not to stop you going where you want to and doing what you want.

I’m in rural Yorkshire and it’s exactly the same - watching the news feels like another world. I’ve just been in to the nearest town (which is very diverse) and everybody is living their lives normally - no sign of any unrest. I’m sure Cornwall will be the same and OP will have a lovely hols with her family.

There's a rally (riot) in Plymouth this evening at 6

I don't think there's much chance of op getting caught up in a riot in Cornwall, however what these riots have done I think is turn up the heat and raise the feelings of racism amongst those who were already inclined. So that means if you're travelling on public transport etc. you still might encounter micro aggressions and or hostility towards yourselves if your skin is the wrong colour, so I understand the hesitation, wouldn't let it put me off though, majority of people are decent.

I’ve been to various North Yorks towns this week and haven’t seen anything other than people living their normal lives.
That Middlesbrough report is shameful :-(

i agree

There's a rally (far-right riot) in Plymouth tonight at 6.

You can keep your plans if YOU want to, no hoping about it. The riots are happening in the big cities. I live in a medium sized city and all is peaceful. Cornwall will be fine.

Plymouth used to have a well deserved bad reputation as a violent city. If you are concerned about riots then I would avoid Plymouth, but all the other Devon/Cornwall towns will be fine. Plymouth will probably be fine too, but is most likely to kick off.

bristol had large anti edl group

there were riots in Weymouth of all places

Echoing others, but I’m in Cornwall and I think you’ll be fine. We like to save our august ire for SUV owners on single track lanes!

But it’s unbelievably crap and unfair you’re having to reconsider your safety. I’m so sorry.

How's Birmingham city centre looking? We are going on a trip soon. Presume ok?

Actually Plymouth sadly has a ‘protest’ planned tonight, and a counter protest

There's a "protest" in Plymouth later today regarding illegal immigration etc, I would see how that pans out, not sure if anything is planned in Cornwall or not.