§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further steps the Metropolitan Police are taking to reduce the incidence of racially motivated attacks in London.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe commissioner shares the very great concern about racial attacks which my right hon. and learned Friend expressed in his speech on 17 October to the federated ranks of the Metropolitan police. The commissioner has given a high priority to tackling this important and disturbing problem, and has taken the following steps:
- (a) A review of current procedures, using a new method of crime analysis, has been set in hand in five districts (Tower Hamlets, Newham, Bexley and Greenwich, Haringey, and Ealing and Hillingdon) where racial attacks have been particularly worrying. The object is to find the root cause of the problem, and to involve all relevant agencies in the area in tackling it. The lessons of these reviews will be applied, as appropriate, throughout London; and
- (b) A new programme of policing skills training has been established at district training centres, part of which is designed to help officers respond more sympathetically and positively to racial incidents. This training will be given to all officers up to the rank of superintendent.
My right hon. and learned Friend and I will keep the House informed of progress.
§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the trend in the incidence of reported racially motivated attacks in London.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIn the first nine months of 1984 the total number of racial incidents reported to the Metropolitan police was much the same as for the first nine months of 1983, 1,088 compared with 1,076. I am, however, disturbed that within this total the number of incidents involving Asian and black victims has increased.