Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq told Sky News that family members in the Rotherham area felt unable to get out and live normally amid the “scary” violence.
He said: “We’re not that far away either, these are really worrying times for all of us involved.”
Rafiq added: “In family groups, everyone monitors each other, maintains communication and stays safe.
“It’s terrifying to sleep at night in your home and not feel safe – it’s not something you should be thinking about, but that’s the situation for most people right now.”
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Rafiq said his loved ones avoid going out alone and are monitoring where riots occur “to stay out of harm’s way.”
He said: “Everyone is encouraging each other, if there is any need to go out then you are not alone, but if you can avoid it then do so.
“The same goes for my family. We’re talking, trying to monitor where these riots are, to try to keep us out of harm’s way.”
Moment when protesters break down the hotel door.
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The cricketer, who has previously spoken out about racism in his sport, praised Home Secretary Yvette Cooper for offering emergency security for mosques – but appealed to protection to go further.
“I think it was important and the right step,” he said. “I know it has already made a difference.
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“We are in constant communication with the mosque, taking instructions from there, so I think it was a good step forward.
“But as we saw in Rotherham with the hotel, nothing seems to be able to control this. […] It still feels like a ‘let’s see what happens next’ situation.
“Protecting the mosques, our places of worship, is a good start, but there needs to be a little more than that in the coming days and months.”
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
