Case Studies

CASE STUDY: 
Rother CDRP and the Primary Care Trust working together

They are currently working with other agencies to map out where and who their BME communities are. After this, they will then contact them to find out their individual needs.

The recent Scarman Centre report in to racially motivated crime in rural Suffolk provides a wealth of information and recommendations on the subject, as well as a ‘snapshot’ as to why many BME individuals are unwilling or feel unable to co-operate with crime reduction agencies.

To view an executive summary of the report, entitled: "Tackling the invisible problem?" go to: www.crimereduction.gov.uk/racial10.htm

CASE STUDY: 
Handsworth Patrol

The Partnership Patrol Scheme is an initiative that was developed by officers from Holyhead Road police station in partnership with the Haile Selassie Peace Foundation. It involves police officers patrolling with Rastafarians from the foundation in an effort to break down barriers between the police and the community. The scheme has received international media coverage and very positive feedback from the community. Click here for further information about Thornhill police station.

CASE STUDY: 
Safer Routes to Schools, Hackney, London

Hackney is home to a number of diverse communities. As mentioned in the section on young people, bullying is often directly linked to hate crimes and increasingly, young people from a variety of backgrounds were being subjected to bullying and street crime on their way to and from school.

In September 2002, Safer School Partnership Officers introduced the safer routes to school project, which included making changes in officer beat activity in order to prevent and reduce crime on these routes and target ‘hotspots’. Regular police patrols now also take place around the school areas before and after the school day. Early anecdotal evidence suggests that young people feel safer since the project was implemented. Another positive spin-off is that it is also helping to increase trust and co-operation between young people from BME communities and local crime enforcement agencies.

For further information contact Ralph Lawton, Project Co-ordinator, Metropolitan Police, London Borough of Hackney. e-mail: ralph.lawton@met.police.uk

CASE STUDY: 
Metropolitan Police Racial & Violent Crime Task Force

The Task Force launched a publicity campaign designed to increase intelligence reports as well as incident reports of hate crime, including race crime.

CASE STUDY: 
Building Bridges and tackling racism in Calderdale

There are many initiatives going on in Calderdale. A Racial Harassment Multi Agency Panel (MAP) has been set up to reduce and eventually eliminate all forms of Racial Harassment in Calderdale.

A Hate Casework Panel has also been created which discusses every single reported Hate incident in Calderdale, and makes appropriate recommendations.

More than 40 Third Party Reporting Centres for Hate Incidents have been set up in the area, and a programme to combat racial harassment in Schools has also been set up in conjunction with local Secondary Head Teachers.

A Multi-Agency Asylum Support Forum has been set up to discuss issues regarding Asylum Seekers in the district.

CASE STUDY: 
Fighting crime with cable TV in Kirklees

Kirklees Police have a bulletin board/information page on the local cable television network which they use to encourage people to report incidents of racial harassment and provide details of contacts. This is part of the wider community information pages on the network, and doesn’t cost the police anything as it is a community page.

CASE STUDY: 
Milton Keynes race diversity training programme in schools

In Milton Keynes, the police liaison officer & the local Race Equality Council (REC) run a joint programme of race diversity training for Year 9 pupils at a school with a history of racial harassment problems. Sessions include an icebreaker exercise exploring racial stereotypes, a video in which young people describe their own experiences of racial harassment, and a role play exercise in which they are asked to devise a plan to combat racial harassment in their school. The REC has now expanded its education programme to 20 local schools.

The Police, Victim Support, REC and the local authority also use the Milton Keynes Community Language Service. Agencies pay an annual subscription to use the service of a range of accredited translators.

CASE STUDY: 
Support Against Racial Incidents (SARI) in Bristol

SARI provides staff in several agencies with training about the victim’s perspectives of race crimes. Topics covered include tackling incidents; legal obligations; working with lawyers; supporting victims and the effects of racial violence. SARI also provides training to local Council staff, police and other multi-agency forum members.

CASE STUDY: 
Rochdale Ashiana Housing Association

The Ashiana Housing Association in Rochdale has built new properties outside traditional Asian and black neighbourhoods in the town to develop more mixed communities. Existing residents were kept informed of developments and an Induction Worker introduced new Black and Ethnic Minority tenants to neighbours when the development was complete. Greater Manchester Police advised Ashiana on the safety and security aspects of the new homes’ design. The tenants have reported no reports of racial harassment.

These third party reporting centres are based in schools, libraries, medical clinics, a community centre, a mosque and citizens’ Advice Bureau. Staff have been trained by the Suffolk Constabulary to take reports. A common reporting form is used to record and monitor incidents. The Racial Harassment Officer at the local Racial Equality Council collates the reports for statistical purposes, and then refers cases to other agencies as required.

For more case studies click here.