§ Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis regarding the policy of the police toward the initiation by them, rather than by the victim, of court proceedings where offences involving racial violence are alleged to have taken place.
§ Mr. Giles ShawDecisions on whether to prosecute in individual cases are for the chief officer of police, advised as appropriate by the Director of Public Prosecutions, but it is the normal policy of the police to prosecute in offences involving violence resulting in injury, unless there are special considerations. Violence for racial motives is viewed particularly seriously.
The Department is consulting the Association of Chief Police Officers and the commissioner about the circumstances in which the police, with the consent of the victim, initiate a prosecution for common assault to see whether any general guidance would be helpful.