'Flare-up of racism' amid national anarchy prompts warning from Shropshire hospital bosses - abuse 'will not be tolerated!'

Local NHS leaders have said they are "deeply appalled" by violence and disorder "driven by racism" in the wake of the tragic killings of three little girls at a Taylor Swift workshop in Southport.

Protests were held in Shrewsbury on Saturday, with around 200 joining under the banner of "Stand Up To Racism" in a stand off in The Square opposite a group around 40, protesting under the banner of "Fight For Our Children".

The gathering, which had a strong police presence with local security guards also on hand, went by without any serious conflict or disorder, unlike many protests up and down the country which has seen riots, looting and police officers being violently assaulted.

The county's hospital rely heavily on foreign nationals to carry out vital life-saving medical procedures, care and other important roles in looking after people in Shropshire.

So the national picture has prompted leaders to pen a joint letter, co-signed by NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin chief executive Simon Whitehouse, the body's independent chair Sir Neil McKay; Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Louise Barnett and the trust's acting chair Professor Trevor Purt; Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust's chief executive Patricia Davies and acting chair Tina Long; Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital chief executive Stacey Keegan and chair Harry Turner; Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Neil Carr OBE and chair Jacqueline Small; Shropshire Council leader Lezley Picton and chief executive Andy Begley; and Telford & Wrekin Council leader Lee Carter and chief executive David Sidaway.