A campaigner is calling for Redbridge to come together after a string of police raids in the borough in the wake of the London Bridge terror attack.

Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), is urging Redbridge council to allow a “unity festival” to be staged in the borough following the incident.

Police have stormed several properties in Ilford in recent weeks as part of an investigation into the attack in central London on June 3, which left eight victims dead and almost 50 people injured.

Mr Chowdhry’s plan has received the backing of several faith groups in east London, including Christian, Islamic, Sikh and Hindu organisations.

He said: "It is frightening that this is happening in the borough, but this is a certain type of person who is involved in this- it is not something that is widespread, it is a hard-line fringe of their faith.

"The fact it is being reported in so close in the communities where we live and work does create a sense of fear, but most people do not hold these views and it is important we demonstrate that.

"In the aftermath of the incident, I had a lot of calls from leaders in the community for the Islamic and Hindu faiths and they agree something has to be done.

"Redbridge is a close-knit community but incidents like this can be a target for hate, especially for people who use this kind of thing to forward their own agenda.

"We want to bring people together and show that so many of us do not hold these types of polarising views."

27-year-old man was arrested on a street in Ilford on June 5, while a 29-year-old man was arrested at a property in the area on the same day.

A 30-year-old man was arrested by counter-terrorism officers during another Ilford raid, which took place overnight on Tuesday, June 6.

Three days later, a 27-year-old man was arrested at a residential address in Ilford, also in connection with the investigation.

A spokesman for Redbridge council said: "We welcome initiatives from the voluntary sector which aim to promote and improve community cohesion.

"Any approach from individuals or organisations with ideas to support our community are welcomed and will be supported, providing that they can demonstrate that their event will be well run and resourced."

Mr Chowdhry is also holding a summit for Redbridge residents at Clementswood Community Centre, in Connaught Road, Ilford, to allow discussion of the recent terror-related police activity in the borough.

Anyone is welcome to attend the event, which will take place at 7pm on Tuesday, June 20.