Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelit vigil in Birmingham last night close to the scene of where the three men were killed by a car while trying to protect their community from rioters.
Tariq Jahan, whose 21-year-old son Haroon Jahan was killed alongside Shazad Ali (30), and Abdul Musavir (31), called on people to “respect the memories of our sons” by bringing a stop to the violence that has spread across the UK.
The trio died after being struck by a car in Dudley Road, Winson Green, as they attempted to protect a petrol station and nearby stores on Tuesday night.
Eyewitnesses estimated the car was travelling at around 80km/h when the men were hit.
A 32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering the men remains in custody, while police are examining a car recovered near the scene of the crime.
Speaking yesterday following the murder of his son, Mr Jahan said: “Today we stand here to plead with all the youth to remain calm, for our communities to stand united.
“This is not a race issue. The family has received messages of sympathy and support from all parts of society.”
Mr Jahan added: “I lost my son. Blacks, Asians, whites - we all live in the same community. Why do we have to kill one another? Why are we doing this? Step forward if you want to lose your sons. Otherwise, calm down and go home - please.”
He also urged witnesses to the incident to come forward and give information to police.
Prime minister David Cameron, who visited Birmingham yesterday, described the deaths as “truly dreadful”.
West Midlands Police chief constable Chris Sims urged everyone to act calmly following the three deaths.
“Like everyone else in Birmingham, my concern now will be that that single incident doesn’t lead to a much wider and more general level of distrust, and even worse, violence, between different communities,” he said.
“If we are calm, I’m absolutely confident that the people of the West Midlands can get through this ... and that we can rebuild trust between communities.”
West Midlands Police has made more than 300 arrests since the disturbances which blighted the region on Monday and Tuesday night. They said the night passed peacefully with no further outbreaks of disorder.
The force had 1,000 officers on duty overnight - compared with 400 for each of Monday and Tuesday - with the situation across the region remaining calm.
Police also released more than 30 CCTV images of people they want to speak to in connection with the disorder and have begun the process of recovering “thousands of pounds worth” of items stolen by looters, executing a series of search warrants.
Solihull Magistrates’ Court sat all night to help fast track those charged in connection with the disorder in the region.
PA