National
Civil Rights Movement (South West)
~~~~ Number
3 ~~~~
The National Civil Rights Movement in
the South West believes that the increasing problem of racist violence and
abuse in this region has been ignored by too many for too long. This Bulletin highlights only some of
the press-headlined stories reporting incidents of racist violence and abuse
that have taken place in this region.
It is aimed at stimulating wider and essential public discussion on the
reality of racist violence and abuse in rural areas, and the misery and
suffering caused to black and minority ethnic people. We invite you to copy and distribute this Bulletin as you
see fit.
Visit our website if you require more
information about the National Civil Rights Movement. Contact us by Email or telephone if you require advice
and support following a racist attack or police harassment against you, your
family or your business, or if you wish to report incidents of racist violence
and abuse in this region.
Website:
www.ncrm.org.uk Email: ncrmsouthwest@aol.com Tel: 07940 514270
24
Hr Racist Violence and Policing Issues Helpline: FREEPHONE 0800 374 618
Chaos
broke out in Chippenham town centre in the early hours of Saturday morning when
police were caught up in three separate incidents within minutes of each
other. Officers were called
following reports that a man had been attacked with a glass inside Rush
nightclub and that another man was trying to attack people in a takeaway about 100 yards up the
road. But on their way to
investigate a driver carried out a U-turn and crashed into a police van.
The
drama began at about 1.20am.
More than 100 revellers were thought to be milling around the town
centre at the time watching the events unfold. At Rush nightclub on The Bridge, an ambulance arrived
following an alleged incident inside in which a man had been injured with a
glass.
Police arrested a local
man and the injured man was taken to hospital. However, when the victim arrived
at Bath's Royal United Hospital he took off his bandages and walked out without
having treatment. The man in
custody has since been released on police bail without being charged.
Meanwhile,
at about the same time, there was a disturbance outside the Charcoal Grill
takeaway in New Road. A man in his
late teens and his girlfriend were involved in a row with customers inside the
premises. He was being abusive
and aggressive, trying to attack people, and had to be held back by others. When police tried to stop him they were
spat at, and one was kicked, while the man hurled racist abuse at staff
inside the takeaway. His girlfriend also
tried to assault someone inside the shop and tried to break a window, and she
then spat at officers as they tried to arrest her.
Two
Chippenham teenagers were being held in custody in connection with the
incident. Meanwhile some officers
were held up after a crash outside Superdrug. A Seat car was carrying out a U-turn in the middle of the
road and collided with the police van.
Both drivers were breathalysed, but the tests were negative.
Report
by Bath Chronicle 03/09/2001
An
elderly couple were nearly killed when a Lawrence Weston man who went out driving
in a fit of temper ploughed into their car at high speed. Terrance Wootten, of Bangrove Walk, was
doing 74mph on the wrong side of the road in a 30mph zone when he smashed
head-on into the car being driven by David Guscott. Mr Guscott suffered cracked ribs, a broken finger and
severe bruising and his wife, 79-year-old Frances Guscott, had a cracked
sternum, cracked ribs and a broken collarbone and bruising in the accident in
Shirehampton.
Bristol
Crown Court heard the Guscotts' car was knocked back through a hedge by
Wootten's Cavalier, which was forced back on to its own side of the road where
it caught fire. Wootten,
aged 28, admitted dangerous driving, threatening behaviour, threatening to
damage or destroy property and driving with no insurance. Prosecutor Ramin Pakrooh said
tests had later shown that Wootten's car was travelling at no less than 74mph
when the accident happened.
Jailing Wootten for two and a half years, Judge Thomas told him:
"As a result of taking out your aggression in the car on the road, you
very nearly killed Mr and Mrs Guscott."
The
court was told that in a separate incident Wootten again lost his temper and threatened
to burn down a woman's shop after making racist remarks. Mr Pakrooh said that on
January 13, Smita Patel and Kanta Patel were in their newspaper shop in Lawrence
Weston when Wootten went in asking to put credit onto a gas card. There was a
dispute and Wootten became abusive to both women, who were both frightened when
he swore, twice made racist remarks and threatened to burn the shop down. He was tracked down through details of
the card transaction in the shop.
Simon
Goodman, defending, said Wootten was a changed man and one of the things which
he had done was to go out driving when he felt bad. He said: "He lost his temper, he's ashamed of
doing so." Mr Goodman
said Wootten was anxious that it should be known that he was not a racist.
Report
by Bristol Evening Post 05/09/2001
A
member of the Bristol West Conservative Association who said Nelson Mandela
should have been hanged has been thrown out of the party. Robert Phillips, from
Radstock, made the comments in a letter to black Tory peer Lord Taylor of
Warwick. The correspondence was passed to Conservative Central Office which has
withdrawn Mr Phillips' membership.
The
letter was written on notepaper used by the extremist anti-immigration
organisation, Choice. Mr Phillips
attacked Lord Taylor's stance against racism in the party and said: "Mandela
should have been hanged, whilst they had the chance." The letterhead on the notepaper
read: "Racism is realism. White to work. Racialism is patriotism. Racism is resistance. Stop this multi-racial madness."
Report
by Bristol Evening Post 07/09/2001
A
football supporter accused of being in a group chanting racial abuse at Cherries striker
Chukki Eribenne during last Saturday's match will learn that he faces a ban
from home matches and a disciplinary hearing when he gets to the ground today.
Eribenne, 20, who had to
be substituted because of the trouble, can expect a warm welcome on to the
pitch as AFC Bournemouth faces Swindon at home while the accused fan will be
told of an immediate 28-day ban pending the hearing. Although the hearing and the potential life ban that stems from
that if the supporter is convicte, is the club's own internal affair, police
officers will be present this afternoon in case there is any friction. The Cherries fan in question has
been singled out after questionnaires on the incident at Cambridge United's
ground last week posted on a club fans' website on Monday were returned by
others present at the game.
Bournemouth
Independent
Supporters Association's health and safety representative, Gayle Hope, said:
"We had a very positive response to the questionnaires and about 20 were
returned to us with information including details of racist comments and who
they were aimed at. Other fans have contacted the club direct and some have
gone to the police. "It is
possible if a supporter is convicted that a long ban could be imposed, possibly
a life ban by the disciplinary committee." Football intelligence officer, PC Bill Russell, said:
"Crowd control officers will be involved at Saturday's game in case any
trouble flares up in relation to this matter."
Report
by The Dorset Echo 08/09/2001
Town councillors have launched a campaign against vandals daubing racist
graffiti slogans around Burnham and Highbridge. The council has put up
a £200 reward for the conviction of yobs who are slapping so-called
'taglines' around the towns on walls and buildings. Police, Sedgemoor District Council and CCTV operators at
Bridgwater House are joining the battle against spray painters who have stepped
up their vandalism spree in recent weeks.
Areas to have been hit include the Oxford Street car parks and the Apex
Park toilets with anti-black slogans being scrawled in spray paint. Burnham councillor Neville Jones said:
"We are suffering with a spate of graffiti and vandalism such as has not
been seen in this town for some time.
"There has been a series of racist slogans which I have never seen
before. "We must do
everything we can to prevent the vandalism which is going on.
The
CCTV operators at Sedgemoor have been asked to look very carefully and the
police are also going to keep a special watch. "We must try and stamp it
out." Council bosses are
already looking at getting specialist solvent to remove the graffiti and are
hoping talks with the probation service will also help the problem. Town clerk Eileen Shaw said: "We
are doing everything we can to stop this, but we do not have eyes in the back
of our head. "If anybody sees
new instances of graffiti we would ask them to contact the town clerk's
office." Anybody who
sees graffiti being daubed should contact police on the Crimestoppers number,
0800 555111. If you see new
graffiti you can contact the town clerk's office at Jaycroft Road on 01278
788088.
Report
by The Burnham Times 08/09/2001
Two
teenagers have been arrested for racial abuse and assault. The two men, aged 19 and 16, both from Bath, were arrested at 9am
yesterday following an incident in the early hours of Saturday. The suspects
were interviewed in connection with a violent disorder and racially
aggravated assault in London Road when a couple were assaulted and racially abused. The suspects have been
arrested and released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Report
by Bath Chronicle 13/09/2001
Racists ‘taunt’
children in city
Racism against children and young people is a major
problem in Plymouth, campaigners said today. Ethnic
minorities' representatives and groups, including the city council and police,
met at the Guildhall last night to discuss the report ‘Black Voices in
Plymouth'.
The report, the first of
its kind in the city, was commissioned by children's charity NCH and the
Plymouth District Racial Equality Council through their project
N'Deagainsia. Project
manager Heather Reid said: "Racism experienced by children and young
people is a problem in Plymouth and impacts on their ability to fulfil their
potential. "All
organisations working with ethnic minority children and young people need to
develop strategies to ensure that they can meet these children's needs."
Fifty families, groups
and agencies talked to the survey team over a period of weeks. One mother said: "My son has had a
lot of problems with children hitting him, throwing stones at him, backing him
in doorways and calling him names. He has been having a series of problems of
bullying and name-calling."
An African Caribbean woman said: "I have been spat at; I have been
pushed; but I try to ignore all of that." N'Deagainsia is calling on all relevant bodies in the
city to demonstrate a commitment to addressing racism and to meeting the needs
of black and minority ethnic children, young people, their families and carers.
Report by Plymouth Evening Herald
14/09/2001
Some
of the original charges against six people allegedly involved in a night of
violence outside a house in North Prospect have been withdrawn and replaced
with new ones by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Richard Thomas, aged 20, of Ainslie Terrace, Camels Head,
had a charge of joint aggravated burglary withdrawn and now faces two
charges of racially aggravated criminal damage. He was given conditional bail to
next appear before city magistrates on September 28. Simon Hobbs, aged 27, of St Aubyn Road,
Devonport, also had a charge of joint aggravated burglary withdrawn and is
now charged with racially aggravated criminal damage. He denied to the charge and was
given conditional bail until November 9.
Richard Clarke, aged 40, of Woodville Road, North Prospect, had charges
of violent disorder and affray withdrawn and replaced with charges of joint
racially aggravated violent disorder on August 5 and racially
aggravated criminal damage on August 25, plus two charges of
assault causing actual bodily harm to police on August 25. He pleaded not guilty to joint
racially aggravated violent disorder on August 5 and was given conditional bail
until November 9. Anthony
Clarke, aged 45, of Halcyon Road, North Prospect, had a charge of affray
withdrawn and replaced with a charge of joint racially aggravated violent
disorder. He
denied the charge and was given conditional bail until November 9.
A charge of violent disorder on August 25 against Karen
Glaysher, aged 40, of Grassendale Avenue, North Prospect, was withdrawn. She still faces a charge of
assault on police and was bailed until September 28. A charge of violent disorder against a 16-year-old
youth was withdrawn. He now faces a
charge of joint racially aggravated criminal damage and was
given conditional bail until November 9. A charge of violent disorder against a 13-year-old
youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was withdrawn and he was released
without any further charges.
Report by Plymouth Evening Herald
15/09/2001
CRICKET FANS A ‘DISGRACE'
Devon Cricket
League bosses have been blasted by Barton chairman Paul
Elmore for failing to act on allegations of racist and yobbish behaviour by
some Paignton supporters during last month's Saccone &
Speed Cup final at Bovey Tracey. Paignton took a large number of supporters with them
to the match, some of whom Barton claim taunted their players while they were
fielding in the second innings.
Retired policeman Brian Tapley, who was
watching son Simon playing for Barton, has said he clearly heard racist
remarks being hurled towards Barton's Pakistani professional Aqeel Ahmed while
he was bowling.
Fruit was also thrown onto the field from the corner of the ground where
the Paignton supporters had congregated.
Barton, who lost the match, complained within days of the
final, only for the league to reply that no further action would be taken. Elmore said that simply wasn't good
enough and accused the league's management of double standards. And he said Barton's own disciplinary
problems in the past had coloured the management committee's judgement. "They have to be even-handed
about this," said Elmore. "Had the complaint come from Torquay or
Paignton, I am sure it would have been treated differently. "There are people on the league
management committee who think Barton are only fit to be in a Sunday League,
and because we have had problems before don't treat us seriously. "There were even people at the
final who thought it was our supporters who were behaving badly, just because
of our supposed reputation.
"We have no axe to grind with Paignton's players — the game was
played in the right spirit and the best side won on the day. "But when Paignton
complained a couple of years ago that one of their players was subjected to
racist abuse by Axminster supporters, they had the club in and dealt with
them. "Why should it be
any different when the complaint comes from Barton?"
Tapley claimed some
Paignton supporters spent the first half of the game in a pub before returning
to the ground in time for the second innings. He alleged racist remarks were made towards Aqeel, adding
good-humoured banter turned into crude insults as the game wore on. One Barton fielder was repeatedly
insulted on a personal basis and became so upset by the taunts he had to be
moved to a different fielding position. Tapley claimed he recognised at least three Paignton
playing members in the group of supporters and was disgusted they did nothing
to stop the comments. "The
abusive comments, both crude and racist, made to the Barton professional were
absolutely disgraceful," said Tapley. "This emanated from only a few Paignton
"supporters" and I hasten to add that many real Paignton supporters
were also disgusted. "The
actions of these idiots left a sour taste on what was really an excellent day's
cricket. "As a
Devonian, I apologise to Aqeel for the treatment he received and hope he will
return again."
League secretary Geoff
Coish said competition officials tried to deal with the incidents on the day,
but were concerned they could inflame the situation if they got too heavy
handed. He added; "It is a
pity, and a reflection on our current society, that the action of a few can
spoil what was probably the most exciting and well supported match of the
season." Paignton
chairman Colin Knight was asked to comment but declined, saying he had not seen
any correspondence from either Barton or the league on the incidents. Captain
Justin Mann was also unwilling to comment. Two years ago Paignton complained to the league
about racist comments made towards South African player Rashid Lewis during a
cup tie at Axminster. The East Devon club were disciplined by the league and
banned from playing at home in the competition for two seasons.
Report by Torquay Herald Express
15/09/2001
Muslim
communities across the West were last night bracing themselves for a wave
of retaliatory attacks following the American atrocity. Already a 19-year-old woman
has been bludgeoned with a baseball bat by two white thugs. Leaders of Swindon's 1,700 Moslems were appalled, but
not overly surprised, by the attack in the town on the woman wearing a
traditional head scarf.
Now
community chiefs are urging their people to take precautions when venturing out
for fear of further reprisals against innocent members of the Islamic faith as
a backlash to the terror attacks in New York and Washington. The Swindon assault coincided with
the creation of a network of incident rooms in large Moslem areas across the UK
where people can report attacks and learn basic security and safety skills.
Since
Tuesday's terrorist outrage Moslem women have been branded murderers,
mosques vandalised and, in one case, a bomb threat made, according to the Moslem News in
London. The West attack happened
as the victim, who has not been named, was walking home from her job at the
Halfords superstore on the edge of Swindon town centre at 8.15pm on Friday.
Police say two men waylaid her in Graham Street and that one of them struck
her over the head several times with a silver baseball bat.
The victim needed
hospital treatment for a badly bruised head and was yesterday recovering at
home. Her assailant is described
as between 22 and 30, 5ft 10ins tall with short dark hair, a goatee beard and
wearing a dark Puffa jacket. His accomplice wore a hooded top. Police, who are appealing for
witnesses, said there was no solid evidence to link the attack to the horrific
events in Manhattan although it was believed to have been racially motivated.
However, one of Swindon's senior Moslems, Khan Nawaz, said that seconds
before the attack a young boy heard one of the thugs say "here's a
Moslem." He has no doubt it
was some form of reaction to the New York disaster.
An
Indian immigrant to America was killed in an apparent revenge attack for the
World Trade Centre and Pentagon terror attacks. Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh, was shot and killed at the
petrol station he owned in Mesa, Arizona. His brother said he believed the
shooting had been because he "looked like bin Laden, " a reference to
Osama bin Laden, the suspected terrorist mastermind behind the attacks.
Report
by Western Daily Press 17/09/2001
Asian woman, 19, attacked by pair with a baseball
bat
Racist
thugs attacked an Asian woman using a baseball bat. Two white men set on the 19-year-old in
Graham Street, close to the junction of Manchester Road. She was struck about the head seven
times before people came to her assistance.
The
attack happened at about 8.15pm on Friday, when the town centre would have been
busy. The woman was taken to PMH
for treatment, but she has since been released. The first man attacked the woman with what she described as
a silver baseball bat. She said he
was aged between 22 and 30, 5ft 10in, wore a dark quilted jacket and had a
goatie beard and short fair hair.
The
only information the woman could give about the second man was that he was
wearing a hooded top. Police
are appealing for witnesses to what they confirm was a racist attack, and for the second
person present at the attack to come forward. Please call the police on Swindon
528111 if you have any information.
Report
by Swindon Evening Advertiser 17/09/2001
A
Teenage German girl was the victim of a racist sex attack in the centre of Bath. The girl was punched, kicked to the
ground and then sexually assaulted as she walked to her lodgings through Kingsmead
Square at 11.15pm on Friday.
The attackers were thought to be aged between 16 and 19. One was white,
5ft 8ins with highlighted short hair, a nose ring and a goatee beard. The
second was white, the same height with short black hair, in a white pullover
and dark trousers.
Report
by Western Daily Press 18/09/2001
USA ATTACK: Don't blame us all
Swindon
Islamic leader Khan Nawaz today appealed for calm after a Muslim woman was
attacked in an apparent reprisal attack for the American atrocities. The 19-year-old was badly beaten with
a baseball bat after being approached by two men in the town centre. Police believe the assault is likely to
be directly linked to the destruction of the World Trade Centre and the attack
on the Pentagon, which has been blamed on followers of Islamic fundamentalist
Osama bin Laden.
But
Khan Nawaz, a senior member of the Thamesdown Islamic Association, said British
Muslims abhorred the attacks on civilians in America. And he warned that the town was in danger of being divided
by racists using the terrorism as an excuse to stir up mistrust and
hatred. Mr Nawaz said the girl who
was attacked moved to London when she was three, before coming to Swindon. He said: "The girl is a British
Muslim. She has no connections with terrorists, she is not concerned with their
objectives. "What does
she know about terrorist groups. Why are people offended by a girl wearing a
head scarf?"
Mr
Nawaz, 71, has lived in Swindon for 38 years after moving here from Pakistan.
He was among Swindonians attending a memorial service at the town's cenotaph on
Friday. He said the attacks in
America had affected more than 40 countries and hundreds of Muslims were among
the 5,000 people thought to have died.
"This should be solved through negotiation rather than a show of
power and threats," he said.
"I urge the Muslim community not to form vigilante groups. People
should have faith in the police to do their job. They should try to avoid
taking short cuts alone at night."
Mr
Nawaz said he wanted people to try to understand why there are hostile feelings
towards America in some countries such as Iraq and in the Middle East. He said
there was a lot of relevant historical background that may have led to both
hostility and despair. However, he
urged people to separate the acts of terrorists from the majority of the Muslim
community around the world who have condemned the attacks.
The
attack on the 19-year-old Muslim woman happened on Friday evening as she was
walking in Graham Street, close to the junction with Manchester Road. She was
struck about the head seven times, but escaped with severe bruising. If it is a revenge attack, it follows
other incidents across the country where British Muslims have faced an upsurge
in verbal abuse and threats of violence.
Windows were smashed at a mosque in south Belfast and Essex while
mosques in Birmingham have had excrement put through their letter boxes. And in America, two Asian men were
murdered over the weekend in what Muslim and Arab communities fear could be the
first revenge killings.
Swindon
Police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar confirmed police were looking at a possible
link between the attack and events in America. She said: "This was a totally unprovoked and
cowardly attack on a decent and well respected member of the Swindon community
who just happens to be a Muslim. The injuries could have been far worse when
you consider the weapon used and the degree of violence." Both attackers were white. One was aged between
22 and 30, with a thin goatee beard and short fair hair and light blue eyes. He
was wearing a black quilted jacket and a dark polo neck jumper. The other was
wearing dark clothing and a hooded top.
Witnesses are asked to call DC Neil Grabe on 528111 or Crimestoppers on
0800 555111.
Report
by Swindon Evening Advertiser 18/09/2001
Police
are hunting two men who hurled racial abuse at three Asian men in a major
disorder incident in Yeovil town centre.
The incident happened at around 2.30am on Saturday 15 August after a
verbal exchange in Middle Street between the three men and a youth with mousey-brown
or ginger hair who was aged 18, of medium build, clean shaven and wore blue
jeans and a white top. He was
joined by six other men and two women. One of the men, who was aged 40 and 6ft
1in tall, was thought to be the youth's father. Police, who were in the area on another matter,
stepped in but by then the two men had disappeared and could not be
traced. The victims are aged
23, 21 and 19. Anyone with
information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Report by The Western
Gazette 20/09/2001
Attack won't delay temple
Vandalism
at a partially-built Sikh Temple should not stop it from opening in time,
builders say. The overnight
attack at the Kembrey Street site in Swindon's Gorse Hill left 10 windows
smashed and an internal wall demolished.
It is thought to have been a misguided racist reprisal for last week's
terrorist atrocities in New York even though the mass murderers are
thought to be Muslims.
The
vandalism at the temple or Gurdwara came not long after a
19-year-old Swindon Muslim woman was attacked in Graham Street by two men with
a baseball bat. Dr Harbans Singh Popli, a prominent member of the Sikh community,
insisted today that people of his faith were against violence. He said: "The attack happened on
Monday night. "I haven't been
there, but I have been told that it was probably more than one person. "They cut the fence around the
site, broke windows and damaged a wall." Turning to the possible motivation for the vandalism, Dr
Popli added: "We condemn all violence in any shape or form by
anybody. "We have no relation
to any terrorist organisation or group.
"We have lived in Swindon for more than 20 years, and there have
never been any incidents of violence from us. "We want to reassure people that we are a peace-loving
community and people, and we want our place of worship to be respected like any
other place of worship. "I
think the people who did this have probably been using the terrorist attack in
America as an excuse, because they are troublemakers."
The
building of the £1.2 million temple is the culmination of some 20 years
of campaigning and fundraising by hundreds of Sikh families in Swindon. The
work is being carried out by builder Crampton Leighfield. Site manager Bob Wood said: "The
temple is due for completion by the end of December, and the vandalism will
have no impact on that. "We
still anticipate finishing on time."
The vandalism, along with last Friday's baseball attack, is being
investigated by Swindon police.
Report
by Swindon Evening Advertiser 21/09/2001
Police
forces across the West will be guarding mosques this weekend as officers were
put on red alert to stop more race hate attacks. And Islamic leaders in the region have
warned their communities to stay inside at night amid a growing number of
racial incidents following the terrorist attacks in America.
Ethnic
minorities in cities, towns and villages are living in fear after racist thugs
went on the rampage in many parts of Britain. Islamic leaders met with Home
Secretary David Blunkett and other senior ministers yesterday to call for more
protection. After the meeting,
Moslem leader Yusuf Islam, formerly singer Cat Stevens, said an emergency
hotline for Moslems under attack was the most urgent need, followed by
increased policing and a change in the law to outlaw incitement against
Islam. Stopping race attacks
was the responsibility of everyone and not just the police, Avon and Somerset's
chief constable Steve Pilkington said last night. He said officers in the West would be 'pro-active' and pay
special attention to places that could become targets by 'extremists and
bigots, ' especially places of worship.
"We are calling on all decent people to ensure that this small
minority of bigots do not take advantage of the situation, " said the
chief constable. "We have all got a responsibility for this. My officers
will not tolerate attacks or harassment of any kind."
Islamic
leaders in Bath say they are expecting attacks in the city and are urging
Moslems to stay at home after dark.
Their warning comes after a London taxi driver was paralysed after a
gang beating and a 19year-old Moslem woman from Swindon was viciously beaten
with a baseball bat. Rashad Ahmad
Azami, of the Imam of Islamic Centre in Bath, said he feared reprisal attacks
after an incident in which a few people shouted abuse outside a city mosque. Confidential reports should be
made to the police or alternatively to Support Against Racist Incidents on
0117-9525652
Report
by The Western Daily Press 22/09/2001
Barton to pass ‘racist' row
to Lord's?
Barton
could take their complaint about last month's Devon KO Cup final to Lord's
after being given what they see as the brush off by competition
organisers. Barton are
incensed that the league proposes to take no action over allegations that
Paignton supporters hurled racist insults at their Pakistani spin bowler Aqeel
Ahmed.
The claims were made by
retired policeman Brian Tapley, who was at the game watching son Simon playing
for Barton. Similar claims were
made by Paignton two years ago following alleged racist remarks against
their South African all-rounder Rashid Lewis in a game at Axminster. The East Devon side were carpeted
by the league, fined and banned from playing at home for two years. Barton chairman Paul Elmore said
he wouldn't accept no further action from the league and is threatening to
bring in the ECB. "It
is an option we are considering as we feel very strongly about this," said
Elmore. "The league has
been hard on us in the past and we have done as they said and got our act in
order. "Now it is their turn.
They organised the final on a neutral venue and by the rules of the competition
they are responsible for managing the game."
Tapley repeated his plea
for the league to act, adding he was amazed Paignton hadn't appologised for the
behaviour of their followers.
"The league are behaving like ostriches putting their heads in the
sand, but this thing won't go away," he said.
Report by Torquay Herald Express
22/09/2001
Call in police if you are a racism
victim
The
Exeter Racist Incidents Action Group is urging people to contact the police if
they have witnessed or been a victim of a racist incident. Jon McKenzie, of the Rural Race
Equality Project, said there had been a slight increase in the number of
incidents after the terrorist attacks in the US.
And the group has now issued new advice on how to respond to
incidents and who to contact.
The new community advice notice is this week being distributed to local
employees, organisations, schools and colleges. It is also being used as a model for other districts across
Devon. The notice says that if
anyone has been a victim of or witness to a racist incident, or has any
information about an incident, they should report it without delay. The notice says: "If you
believe that life is threatened, or if any person is injured, or the offenders
are nearby or that immediate action is required, you should dial 999 and ask
for the police."
And it adds that to report a racist incident which does not
fit the above circumstances, or for further advice, people should contact any
of the following during office hours: · Sgt Adam Cornish, police
district diversity officer: 01392 451585, or the police central switchboard:
08705 777 444. · Devon & Exeter Racial Equality Council: 01392
422566. · Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau: 01392 201210. · Rural Race Equality Project: 01392 425517. · Exeter Community Safety Partnership: 01392 265330. · Crimestoppers UK: 0800 555 111.
Report by Exeter Express & Echo
26/09/2001
Three
racially motivated attacks on people and property took place in Frome on Carnival night. A man working in the Charcoal Grill in
Bath Street, Frome, was verbally abused by a group of four men on Saturday night. He followed them out of the shop
to the front of St John's Church in Frome where he was punched in the face
and received a cut below his eye. Earlier
in the day a second man from the take-away was shouted at by a man and the
windscreen of his car was smashed. A
man was later arrested by police.
The
plate glass window at Tulsi, a shop in Catherine Street, was smashed and abuse
shouted
by the culprits also on Saturday night.
Crime
Prevention officer at Frome Police Station, PC Simon Selby, said the actions of
a few individuals was totally stupid and inappropriate. He said: "Rest assured when these
people are arrested they will be dealt with severely, this behaviour will not
be tolerated." Police
are appealing for witnesses to the three incidents
Report
by The Standard & Guardian 27/09/2001
RACE HATE FEAR OVER CITY FIRE
Police
investigating an arson attack at the home of a family in Exeter early today
believe that it was racially motivated. And the victims fear they have
been targeted because of the recent terrorist attacks in America. The middle-aged couple, who come from
Exeter but are of Indian descent, and their son were woken at 5.30am to find
the front door of their home in Mount Pleasant alight and smoke filling their
hallway. They were able to get out
of the property uninjured. But
they say it is the latest in a series of incidents since terrorists struck at
the World Trade Centre.
Mr Singh, who did not wish his full name or address to be
revealed for fear of reprisals, said the incident this morning had terrified
them all. "If we had not
woken when we did and got out, we could have been killed," he added. "We don't go out into town very
much now because we are getting verbal abuse. I am very scared and my wife is
afraid. It is happening three or four times a week. "Somebody has done this
deliberately. It could be with all the trouble in the United States." He said although they had
experienced some racial abuse in the past it has been a lot worse since the
terrorist attack. Mr Singh added: "We are not even Muslims, we are Sikhs.
It is nothing to do with us but it doesn't seem to matter what religion you
are." Mr Singh doesn't
believe that petrol or paraffin was used to start the fire, but papers appear
to have been stuffed through the letter box and plastic bags were found
outside. He said: "I just
think it is stupid if it is racially motivated and something to do with what
happened in the US. It is nothing to do with any of us here. We don't live in
America and we are not terrorists. We want people to know we are all against
what happened in the states. Innocent people got killed for nothing. "But this is absolutely
stupid."
Exeter police say they
are keeping an open mind as to the motive of the attack but cannot discount
that it may have been connected to the recent troubles in America. "Obviously the fire was caused in
a way to endanger life and it is fortunate people were not trapped or killed as
a result of this arson," said PC Roy Adams, of Heavitree Road police
station. "It is a very unfortunate
incident which we are treating very seriously." PC Adams said there had been a few isolated incidents
involving racial tension in the city in the wake of the terrorist attacks in
the US. However, he said there had not been a
noticeable rise in racially motivated incidents. Most problems have involved restaurateurs and take-away
workers being verbally abused - usually by drunken youths. This incident, if related to such reprisals, is by far
the most serious to have happened in the city. Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have
been walking or cycling to work around the time of the fire. A British Gas van parked in the
area was broken into overnight and police are connecting the incident. They
fear the arsonist may have been looking for some flammable substance in the van
to start the fire. The fire
this morning destroyed the front door of the house. The hallway carpet and
walls were also smoke-damaged.
Scenes of crime officers were at the house this morning taking
photographs and collecting forensic evidence. Dave Hughes, station officer at Exeter fire station,
said: "We received a call at about 5.30am this morning that there was a
fire and persons were reported.
"It was a middle-aged couple and their son. "The fire was confined to
the door and the door frame.
"Three appliances from Exeter attended and an hydraulic platform
for additional manpower."
Report by Exeter Express & Echo
27/09/2001
Muslim man is robbed in 'racist' attack
A
Muslim told police he was the victim of a racist attack after he was robbed
in Weymouth in the early hours of Friday. The attacker approached the local man in Hope Square at 2am
and stole his mobile phone, leaving him with minor injuries and suffering from
shock. A Dorset Police
spokesman said: "The
victim said he thought he had been attacked because he is a Muslim. We are keen
to talk to any witnesses."
The attacker is described as a bald white man, aged about 20 and of
skinny build. He was not wearing a shirt. Anyone with information is asked to call Weymouth
Police Station on 01305 220512.
Report
by The Western Gazette 27/09/2001
A
gang of children as young as seven subjected a terrified Chippenham child to
racist taunts just days after the terrorist attacks on New York and
Washington. Police say the young
victim was targeted purely because of colour by the gang, which ranged in age
from seven to around 12.
The
attack happened in the Charter Road area earlier this week, as a wave of
anti-Islamic incidents were reported across the country. Schools have been put on
alert and given advice on how to deal with racist attacks. Inspector Ian Johnson, of Chippenham
police, branded the attack as horrifying.
He said: "It is dreadful from anyone of any age, but if children as
young as seven are doing it, you have to question the responsibility of their
parents." A number of
children have been spoken to by police in connection with the attack, and
investigations are continuing. The
attack was reported to police by the child's parents. Police spokesman Steve Coxhead said many people would
be horrified by the age of the children involved in the incident. He said: "This young child was a victim of
crime. It is absolutely unfair, unjustified, and absolutely illegal." He said officers across the force
were on the alert for increased racist incidents. He said: "The police are concerned about any racial
incidents, but obviously that concern is heightened in light of what happened
in New York. "We are
aware this is a time of possible increased racial tension, and even more effort
is being put in by our officers.
Advice has gone to all schools from Wiltshire's chief education officer
Bob Wolfson.
A
letter from the Swindon-based Islamic Awareness and Education Project has also
been sent to schools. Project director
Imran Golding said: "Islam is a religion of peace and Muslims do not
support violent actions.
"Please help your pupils and students to talk about the media
images they are seeing, and discussions they are hearing, so they will not be
afraid of, or angry with, innocent Muslims in their school and community. "We welcome any acknowledgement
that you can offer the Islamic Awareness and Education Project that the ongoing
teachings of Islam in your school will stand clear of the barbaric actions of a
few individuals." John
Cairns, deputy head of Hardenhuish School, said: "We do have a small
number of black Caribbean, Asian and Chinese children, and we will be looking
out for any trouble." Anyone
with any information about the attack is asked to contact PC Andy Pullen at
Chippenham Police on (01249) 654455 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Report
by Swindon Evening Advertiser 28/09/2001
UNITED
The
Echo today put up a £1,000 reward to catch those responsible for an arson
attack on the home of a city family. Police investigating the blaze believe it was racially
motivated and the victims fear they have been targeted because of the terrorist
atrocities in the United States. The fire at the family's home in Mount Pleasant could
have proved fatal, said police. They today welcomed the Echo's assistance in
trying to track down the culprits.
Mr and Mrs Singh who
asked for their full names not to be revealed and their five-year-old son were
sleeping upstairs when the front door of their home was set alight at 5.30am
yesterday. They woke and were able
to get out and raise the alarm. The fire wrecked the front door of the house
and caused smoke damage. Police
say they are keeping an open mind about the motive for the incident, but they
believe it was racially motivated.
The family is convinced
the attack was some kind of misguided reprisal following the New York and
Washington tragedies. Members of the family have already been verbally
abused in the days since the September 11 disaster. They cannot understand why they have
become hate targets. The Singh family are of Indian descent and have lived
in Exeter all of their lives. And, they are Sikhs. "Obviously at a time like this we realise that many
residents in Exeter will be concerned because of this sort of attack,"
said PC Roy Adams, of Heavitree Road police station. "We are delighted
that the Echo is assisting in securing the arrest and conviction of the
offender and in the protection of ethnic groups within the city." "This attack could have
resulted in the deaths of totally innocent people. We want anyone with
information no matter how insignificant they think it is to come forward."
Police
admit there has been a slight rise in the number of racially motivated incidents
in the city in the wake of the terrorist attacks. However,
most incidents have involved verbal abuse. Mr Singh said he and his family have suffered such
abuse three or four times a week since the attacks in America and are now
frightened of going out. Yesterday's incident had left them terrified. "If we had not woken when we
did, we could have been killed." He said he the family were very grateful to the Echo
for putting up the reward: "We appreciate it and are encouraged by the
support."
Echo editor Steve Hall
said he hoped the offer of the reward would encourage those with information to
come forward. "This attack
was reprehensible. It could have resulted in the deaths of these people one of
them a young child. Those responsible must be caught." Anyone with an information should ring
08705 777444. The reward will be paid out if in the opinion of the police the
information supplied results in the apprehension and conviction of the offenders.
Report by Exeter Express & Echo
28/09/2001
Police used CS spray following 'racist abuse'
incident
A teenager who tried to attack a man who had racially abused
him has admitted a charge of affray.
The 17-year-old from Bath, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was
sprayed with CS gas by a police officer after trying to confront the man who
had chased him with a knife while hurling racial abuse.
On
July 25 the youth and his father had entered the man's home and tried to force
their way past police officers who had been taking a statement about the
earlier incident, Pauline Stock, prosecuting, told Bath Youth Court yesterday. While his father struggled with one
officer, the youngster grappled with the other who was forced to use his CS
spray when the youth tried to take his baton. Both were taken to Bath police station and the youngster
later admitted a charge of affray. The boy's father also pleaded guilty to
affray. Mrs Stock said it
was accepted the man they tried to attack had been "running through the
streets with a knife, threatening the defendant with racist abuse".
Harriet
Heard, defending, said the youth and his father had gone to the house intending
to tell the police what happened.
After waiting outside for ten minutes they ran out of patience. Magistrates handed down a
ten-hour reparation order, working in the community, to be completed within
three months.
Report
by Bath Chronicle 28/09/2001
School advice to counter tension of
terror attacks