How did we get here?

I expect that most readers of this paper were appalled by the reported threats and assault at the California Crossroads in Finchampstead, as covered on the front page of last week’s Wokingham.Today.

There can be no excuse for such behaviour or for those who have subsequently sought to justify it on local social media, and I am pleased that the council has responded robustly to the incidents.

We should reflect on how we got here.

There is plenty of research showing how online abuse influences actions in the physical world.

This predicts how reasonable frustration at an issue, perhaps aggravated by misinformation, is focused by content algorithms into a cycle of ever-increasing anger, to a stage where someone loses control and resorts to violence.

We should not pretend this is an isolated incident.

The early stages of this are frequently visible locally, for example, concerning parking enforcement, council officers and elected councillors, all examples where elsewhere in the country violence has resulted.

In May this year, local people will be voting for their borough councillors.

With all 54 seats up for election, across all parties and independents, I hope that more than 150 local citizens will be standing up for their values and beliefs and volunteering their time for the good of their community.

There are more who would like to, but are not prepared to expose themselves to the abuse they may experience.

Wokingham is a fantastic community where the great majority care about each other and do not seek to divide or offend.

I hope everyone who wishes to contribute to our public debate, whether online, in writing or in person, will reflect on last week’s events and play their part in keeping our community civil.

Adrian Betteridge, Chair, Wokingham Borough Liberal

Democrats.