A Swindon man criticised Reform’s call to ban burkas and suggested that face coverings worn by threatening young men should be instead.
Martin Webb from Old Town felt compelled to write to the Adver after MP Sarah Pochin asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer about whether the burka should be banned.
He said: “Just before Easter, I was walking along Walsingham Rd, Walcot, and on the opposite side of the road to myself were two young males, both of whom were wearing face coverings and for no reason at all they started hurling both abuse and small stones and making abusive gestures at me.
“Fortunately there was no face-to-face confrontation and they continued their walk to wherever.
“As a man approaching 63 and of slight build, what resistance could I have put up?
Recommended reading
- Disappointed and angry golf course campaigners plan their next steps
- Diners evacuated as fire fighters rush to blaze at popular restaurant
“It's not a Muslim lady wearing the burka that I should fear or be afraid of but the many hoodlums wearing their face coverings and balaclavas while they're walking, riding their e-bikes and e-scooters and looking for their next victim to intimidate or rob of their mobile phone or a lady of their handbag.
“How many Muslim ladies do we see in Swindon wearing the burka? Very few if any.
“How many face covering hoodlums do we see on the streets of Swindon? In my experience (and that of Bill Williams who has mentioned the wearing of face coverings in recent letters), a great many.
“Surely it would be better if politicians raised the issue of youngsters terrorising communities wearing their face coverings rather than continue with their demonisation of the Muslim community.”
What do you think?
Share your thoughts on the matter – or anything else that comes to mind about the issues of the day or the state of Swindon – by sending letters to the Adver by email to Daniel.angelini@newsquest.co.uk
Our postal address is Swindon Advertiser, Richmond House, Hindle Way, Swindon, SN3 3RB.
Share