In August 2024, unrest swept across the UK after the tragic killings in Southport, fuelled by online misinformation and weaponised fears about migration. In Bristol, the tension erupted in Castle Park and outside the Mercure Hotel, where asylum seekers were housed. The police presence was thin. The danger was real. And yet, what happened next was extraordinary, ordinary Bristolians put their bodies on the line to defend their neighbours.
We Don’t Do That Here is a one-hour audio documentary from Bristol's community radio stations - BCfm and Ujima, weaving together multiple in-depth interviews with those who lived it: refugees inside the hotel with their children, activists and local residents on the streets, police officers, youth workers, charity leaders, journalists, and community broadcasters. Their voices reveal the fear of that week, the courage of those who stood in solidarity, and the deep divisions that surfaced under pressure.
The programme also investigates the powerful role of media and misinformation, such as how a single false claim spiralled into riots, how national outlets inflamed stereotypes, and how community radio and grassroots networks became lifelines of truth. Listeners hear not just about what happened, but why, and what it tells us about Britain in an age of polarisation.
Above all, this is a story of resilience. From smiles through hotel windows to grandmothers holding banners, from grassroots charities to city-wide counter-protests, Bristol’s communities demonstrated that hate would not go unchallenged. This documentary asks: what does it take to keep a city safe, welcoming, and united, and what can the rest of the country learn?
A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Contributors:
Muneera Pilgrim – Creative and Broadcaster
Roger Ball – Academic Researcher
Anonymous – Afghan Asylum Seeker
Jim (Not real name) - Bristol Anti-Fascists
Serena Sergeant – Avon & Somserset Police
Desmond Brown – Growing Futures CIC
Olivia Lamont Bishop – Borderlands Bristol
Maya Mate-Kole – Mwanzo Project
Producers: Marcus Smith & Miranda Rae
Sound Design: George Colwey
Photo Credit: Simon Holliday
Funding: Bristol City Council
