Hundreds of protesters filled the streets of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, on August 9, 2025, in a demonstration that exposed deep divisions over immigration, policing, and public safety. The protest erupted after Warwickshire Police announced that two men, reportedly Afghan asylum seekers, had been charged in connection with the rape of a 12-year-old girl. The incident and its aftermath have ignited fierce debate, with local and national figures weighing in on the handling of the case, the release of information, and the broader context of asylum accommodation in the UK.
The charged individuals, Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, and Mohammad Kabir, 23, face serious allegations. According to Warwickshire Police, Mulakhil has been charged with rape, while Kabir faces charges of kidnap, strangulation, and aiding and abetting rape of a girl under 13 following an alleged incident in Nuneaton. The gravity of the accusations sent shockwaves through the local community and quickly became a flashpoint for wider national concerns about crime, migration, and transparency.
The protest, which began outside Nuneaton’s Town Hall, drew a crowd that far outnumbered the counter-demonstrators from Stand Up to Racism. Many in the main protest group voiced opposition to the use of local hotels and houses for asylum accommodation, a policy that has sparked similar protests in other towns across England in recent months. Demonstrators carried St George’s Cross and Union flags, and the air was filled with the sound of patriotic tunes like Rule Britannia, the national anthem, and Sweet Caroline, according to NationalWorld.
Placards reading “This is England” and “What about our girls’ human right to safety” rose above the crowd, while chants of “Who are you?” targeted the Stand Up to Racism group. The counter-protesters, meanwhile, responded with chants of “Love not hate” and signs urging, “Stop the far right.” The tension between the groups was palpable, and when the anti-racism demonstrators left the area, some flag-carrying protesters followed, shouting insults such as “scum,” “get them out,” and “paedo.” The scene spilled into the Ropewalk Shopping Centre, where onlookers watched the confrontation unfold.
Despite the heated atmosphere, police described the event as largely peaceful. Officers maintained a strong presence outside the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council offices on Coton Road and along the high street. Only one arrest was made—a 17-year-old boy from Nuneaton was taken into custody for making threats to cause criminal damage. In a statement, Nuneaton and Bedworth Police said, “Today we have worked with our partners and our communities as a peaceful protest in Nuneaton took place. Protesters gathered outside the Town Hall from 12pm and left the area at around 3.30pm. We maintained a presence in the area throughout to ensure the safety of all protesters and our communities.”
After the Stand Up to Racism group departed, the main protest continued with a march down the high street, escorted by police. Chants of “Stop the boats” and “We want our country back” echoed through the town centre, underscoring the anti-immigration sentiment that has been building in some quarters. The day’s events in Nuneaton were not isolated; smaller protests took place in cities such as Bristol, Bournemouth, Liverpool, and Birmingham, with additional demonstrations in Portsmouth, Southampton, Aldershot, Leicester, and Altrincham the previous evening. A handful of arrests occurred in Canary Wharf, London, and Epping, Essex, highlighting the issue’s national resonance.
Political leaders were quick to respond. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and George Finch, the 19-year-old leader of Warwickshire County Council and the youngest council leader in the country, alleged a “cover-up” of details about the alleged rape. Both argued that the authorities had not been sufficiently transparent with the public. Farage, in particular, suggested that the immigration status of suspects charged with serious crimes should be made available, a view that has gained traction among some segments of the public but also drawn criticism from those concerned about stoking division and prejudice.
In response to the allegations of a cover-up, Warwickshire Police chief constable Alex Franklin-Smith offered a firm rebuttal. He stated, as reported by BBC and NationalWorld, that the force “did not and will not” conceal alleged criminal activity and had adhered to national guidance on the release of information. The chief constable’s comments were echoed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who called for greater transparency from police but emphasized that it remains an “operational decision” for police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service regarding what details to disclose. Cooper stated, “We do think more transparency is needed” in the information given by police.
George Finch, for his part, urged all those attending the protest to act peacefully. On the eve of the demonstration, he released a statement on social media expressing his “deep concern about the risk of the protests being hijacked by agitators who seek to cause disorder and division within our community.” His call for calm was echoed by local authorities and police, who worked to ensure that the demonstration remained within the bounds of the law.
The events in Nuneaton have become emblematic of a broader national debate about crime, immigration, and the responsibilities of public institutions. On one side, many local residents and protest organizers argue that the government’s policies on asylum accommodation are failing communities and putting vulnerable people at risk. Their calls for “taking back control” and “protecting our girls” reflect anxieties that have been simmering for years, particularly in towns that have seen sudden changes in population and public services.
On the other, anti-racism campaigners and their supporters warn that such protests risk fueling xenophobia and undermining community cohesion. Their message of “Love not hate” and their opposition to what they see as far-right agitation highlight the dangers of scapegoating and collective blame. The presence of both groups in Nuneaton, and the sometimes volatile exchanges between them, illustrate just how fraught these issues have become.
As the investigation into the alleged rape continues and the legal process unfolds, the people of Nuneaton—and the country at large—are left to grapple with difficult questions about justice, transparency, and social trust. The day’s events may have ended peacefully, but the debates they sparked are far from over.