The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued a statement decrying the recent riots taking place around England.

The regulator for all health and care providers in England, the CQC said it was “horrified” by the “far-right racist and Islamophobic violence” seen in several English cities.

It added that it is “completely unacceptable” that health and care workers should be “prevented from delivering care because of racist attacks and violent disorder”.

In the past 24 hours, the press has reported that “anti-racism” counter-protests have taken place, while London’s Met Police claim to have deterred potential protests in the city last night.

The BBC also reported that over 100 police offers have been injured since the protests began a week ago.

Speaking on the effects the rioting has had on health and care workers, a CQC spokesperson said in a post on the regulator’s website: “We are horrified by the dreadful scenes of far-right racist and Islamophobic violence that we are seeing in towns and cities across the country.

“It is completely unacceptable that health and care workers are being targeted because of their race or religion – or prevented from delivering care because of racist attacks and violent disorder.

“We know that health and care leaders are doing all they can to mitigate the impact while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their staff and on people who use services.

“The Care Quality Commission is an anti-racist organisation. We stand against racism, violence, aggression and abuse in all forms.

“We stand with our partner organisations in thanking everyone working in health and care as they support people affected by violence in their communities.”

Police say they are prepared for more potentially violent riots this coming weekend.