§ 13. Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on progress in investigating crimes suspected of being racially motivated.
§ Mr. Giles ShawAll police forces in England and Wales are well aware of the seriousness of racially motivated incidents and have made arrangements for these to be monitored locally. Guidelines issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers last year call for a vigorous and sympathetic response to such incidents and we are confident that appropriate investigations are carried out thoroughly and expeditiously.
§ 25. Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department has any plans to conduct research into the incidence of crimes with an apparent racial motivation.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe 1986–87 programme of work for the Home Office research and planning unit includes a study of the nature and incidence of racially motivated incidents in selected areas and a study of possible improvements in the police response to such incidents and of victims' perceptions and needs. The possibility of a third study looking at crime prevention measures for Asian shopkeepers is also being considered.