How Fake News Brought Blackburn to a Stand Still
After the tragic events in Southport last summer, there was a threat of rioting in the streets of Blackburn, according to social media. What transpired was a confused and frightened community fuelled by misinformation and fake news. It led to an almost shutdown of the town centre, young people not allowed out by parents, and a return to the fear not seen in decades.
As part of a community resilience project two members of the public spoke to One Voice Blackburn about their experiences of the mood in Blackburn in early August 2024.
I heard Muslims were getting acid thrown on their face
The summer riots last year were so overwhelming for me. I was pregnant at the time and had been seeing videos circulating online about groups of people causing chaos around the town and in other cities that I go to regularly for a day out.
My best friend wears the hijab and going to the Trafford Centre for some shopping was a regular thing for us. I remember it was a Saturday and she asked me whether we could go as she needed to visit a few shops we don’t have here in Blackburn. I mentioned I had seen videos on TikTok of people pulling Muslim girl’s hijabs off their heads so advised her not to go out.
We ended up going to Trafford centre. I remember going past a pub and we felt as though my hijabi friend was getting stared at, so I turned around and said, “what”. I don’t know if they were genuinely starring or whether we were just being paranoid.
I had also heard Muslims were getting acid thrown on their face randomly when they were out and about. I called up my friends to tell them not to go out until things die down as I was genuinely scared.
Now that I think of it, things were over hyped especially on social media. It made everyone fearful, and the situation was so tense. In Blackburn we all heard that buses full of people who were against Muslims and immigrants were coming to riot/protest but nothing like that happened. There were probably around six people who ended up going back because there was nothing to riot about.
I feel silly for thinking that this would last months, and we wouldn’t be able to go out. I mean I even tried to stop my friends and family from going out which now sounds so unnecessary.
Social media can be a wonderful thing, but here it was bad, and even toxic.
There were no protests, no clashes, no attacks.
I remember that weekend so clearly. I had plans to go out with my friends – we were supposed to go into town, grab some food and just chill. I wasn’t even thinking about the riots at first but then my parents told me I shouldn’t go.
They kept saying it wasn’t safe. That there were people attacking Muslim girls, pulling hijabs, and that it was best for me to stay home. My mum was panicking, saying to me she saw it all over WhatsApp. My dad told me, “It’s different for girls, if anything happens you can’t fight back.”
But the thing is – I wasn’t scared. I know how TikTok works. I’ve seen enough fake news and viral lies to know that just because something is trending doesn’t mean it’s real.
I tried telling them that a lot of these videos weren’t even from Blackburn. Some were years old, and people were just re-uploading them with scary captions. But it didn’t matter. They weren’t listening to me. They believed it because other adults were saying it. And just like that, my plans were cancelled.
Meanwhile my brother and his mates were getting ready to go out. Not for shopping but for the riots. Well, for what they ‘thought’ were going to be riots. They’d seen the same TikTok posts, but instead of staying home like I was told to, they were out on the streets. Ready to fight. Ready to ‘defend’ Blackburn. The only problem? There was no one to fight.
The EDL never showed up. The buses ‘full of racists’ never existed. There were no protests, no clashes, no attacks. Just a bunch of young Asian lads standing around waiting for something to happen. And when it didn’t, they just went home. It was pointless. But at least they got to decide for themselves. I didn’t.
I was at home watching a fake riot play out on my phone.
The programme is funded by the Ministry of housing Communities and Local Government.
How to Spot Fake News A guide for Teens and Adults
1) Scroll with Caution:
social media isn’t always telling the truth
2) Source Check:
Is it from a legit website or just someone’s opinion?
3) Don’t Fall for Clickbait:
If it screams “BREAKING NEWS” and it sounds wild, it’s probably fake
4) Google it:
Fact-check across reliable sites before you believe it
5) Outdated News?
If it’s old, it might be twisted to fit today’s drama.
6) Proof or it’s Poop:
Good stories have solid facts, fake ones don’t
7) Beware of Bias:
If it’s only telling you what you want to hear, question it.
8) Experts > Influencers:
Real professionals know their stuff – socials? Not so much.
9) Feel the Fear? Think Again:
Fake news thrives on fear and anger. Stay calm, check facts.
10) Adults Get Fooled Too:
It’s not just teens – grown-ups fall for fake stuff too!
At the end of the day, fake news isn’t just a “kid problem” or something only old people fall for – everyone’s vulnerable when they’re scrolling fast and not thinking twice.
Whether you’re 15 or 50, take a second, check your source, and don’t let someone else’s lie become your truth. Simple.