Now let's stand up to influencers stoking up hate

THE decent people won, and their courage may be a turning point in the summer war of racial hatred.

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Thousands faced down far-right threats of further violent disorder to reclaim the streets for traditional British tolerance.

Coupled with stiff jail sentences for thugs and a show of strength by the police, their spontaneous demonstration of hope against hate could prove a watershed.

I am optimistic. You have to be, because the alternative is giving in to the villains who turned our neighbourhoods into virtual war zones.

But it strikes me we are fighting a 21st century war with the weapons of the Victorian era: the thin blue line of police officers, and a broken justice system playing catch-up with cyber-criminals.