An MP has praised her community for meeting threatened far right riots with "defiance, solidarity and friendship".

Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman spent the week speaking to police, community leaders and the Home Office to see how they could deal with planned far-right disturbances in North Finchley.

Thousands of anti-racist protesters took to the streets in North Finchley, Walthamstow, Harrow and other areas in London after violence in towns and cities around the UK.

Unrest had begun on July 29 when three young girls were fatally stabbed in Southport and misinformation on social media claimed the suspect was an Islamic asylum seeker who had come to the UK on a boat.

Ms Sackman said: "The events of the last week in our country and community have shown it at its worst and at its best.

Sarah Sackman MP convened an online meeting with community members on the day of planned riots in North Finchley Sarah Sackman MP convened an online meeting with community members on the day of planned riots in North Finchley (Image: Sarah Sackman)

"In all the racist thuggery that's been stirred up by the far-right it's important to remember the murder of the three little girls that was connected.

"It's been an intense week and when we look back on it and reflect on it we'll see the outcome was a good one and all the hours put in were worth it."

The MP said that on Monday (August 5) somebody she did not know sent her a list of nearly 40 locations across the UK - including one in North Finchley - associated with immigration services where Islamophobia and racist violence might be incited.

She convened an emergency meeting of police chiefs, council and community leaders to plan how to keep the community safe and provide reassurance.

Her team then brought together leaders of the North Finchley Mosque and local synagogues, anti-Islamaphobia website Tell Mama and CST (Community Security Trust), a charity protecting British Jews. 

Ms Sackman met Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, as well as leaders who run asylum hotels to ensure residents were receiving communications in their language and that they were safe.

"All these relationships are really important," she added. "In chaos and in peace time."

"In the end North Finchley residents came out in force and the far-right who did show up were completely outnumbered," she said.

She added: "I want to thank everyone who found a way to stand up to this fear and division and show solidarity in our community.

"The threat hasn't gone away, we've got to remain vigilant against these forces.

"There is no place for Islamophobia and racism in Finchley or anywhere in our society.

"Anyone threatening our Muslim communities or refugee communities must feel the full force of the law."