Far-right violence threats in UK forces Essex cricket to postpone women's county game

The cricket match between Essex Women and Kent Women, originally scheduled for August 7 at the County Ground in Chelmsford, has been postponed. This decision comes after threats of potential far-right violent protests in the area.

An official statement from Essex Cricket explained that the match was postponed to ensure the safety of everyone involved. The club consulted with Essex Police, the ECB, and other stakeholders before making this decision. 

"In light of planned protests on Wednesday 07 August, the fixture between Essex Women and Kent Women at The Cloud County Ground has been postponed," the statement read.

Fans will be informed of the new date for the match once it is arranged. Those who purchased tickets will receive further information via email.

This postponement follows a series of violent protests in the UK, with over 400 people arrested in the past week. These riots, organized by far-right groups, have targeted asylum seekers and Muslim communities. The unrest began in Southport last week after a mass stabbing at a dance class resulted in the deaths of three young girls and injuries to several others.

Social media posts suggest that far-right groups might be planning gatherings in Chelmsford and Southend on Wednesday evening, leading to the decision to postpone the match.

Essex Cricket has emphasized that the safety and well-being of everyone are their top priority, and they will continue to monitor the situation closely.

"The safety of all spectators, players, and staff is paramount to Essex Cricket and the decision to postpone the fixture follows a period of consultation with Essex Police, the ECB and the diverse workforce at Essex Cricket. Fans will be notified when a new date has been arranged for the fixture and ticket purchasers will be contacted by the club via email with more information," included the same statement.