A statement from Monica Fogarty, Chief Executive at Warwickshire County Council:

We want to reference the events taking place in the United States and around the world.

The brutal killing of George Floyd has horrified communities everywhere.

We know the people of Warwickshire will share that abhorrence.

As a public service, Warwickshire County Council works tirelessly to make our community one in which people feel safe.

The killing of George Floyd makes us all take a breath and look around us to consider whether that is something that could happen here. We all hope not.

We must state that racism has no place in Warwickshire. Black lives matter.

As a community leader, this council condemns any acts of racism or violence and we hope that everyone in Warwickshire joins us in that condemnation.

Staff members at the council took part in a one-minute silence on Monday 8 June to pay respect to George Floyd and his family members and to all individuals in Warwickshire and around the world who have sadly experienced any form of racism.

The council is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in every aspect of work, we support Black colleagues and Black communities in Warwickshire.

A joint statement from the Local Government Association on local government’s commitment to tackling racism.

We are committed to making Warwickshire the very best it can be. Black Lives Matter.