Response to our Freedom of Information Request to West Yorkshire Police on the total number of arrests per year and

the number of arrests for racially and religiously aggravated offences.

In 2010 there were 1,036 arrests in West Yorkshire for racially and religiously aggravated offences. In 2011 there were 805 arrests in West Yorkshire for racially and religiously aggravated offences. The total number of people arrested for various offences in West Yorkshire in 2010 was 88,576 and in 2011 was 81,970

Year 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012

Racially/Religiously Aggravated Crime Year 2,145 2,080 1,851 2010 2011

Arrests for a racially/religiously aggravated offence 1,036 805

Relevant Police Racism Stats

New figures reveal that police forces in England and Wales receive 1,000 racism complaints every year Just 2 officers out of 2,270 accused of racist behaviour have been dismissed in the last seven years. The highest number of complaints was in 2008, when 500 were lodged In the decade since the damning Macpherson Report, 120 Metropolitan Police officers have been found guilty of racist behaviour, but just one has been dismissed. An inquiry by Channel 4 News, which uncovered the figures, found 79 of those found guilty were constables, 13 were sergeants, four were detective inspectors and four were detective chief inspectors or higher. Separate figures obtained by the Daily Mail show that 1,000 complaints of discrimination are made to forces across England and Wales every year.

Just one in 40 allegations, the vast majority of which are investigated by the forces themselves, leads to someone being punished. In London alone, officers faced 1,339 allegations of racist behaviour over the past three years, with just 14 of the cases being upheld.

The below information has been taken from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request processed by West Yorkshire Police. The data shows a disturbing reality. It appears that not only does racism in the police service continue to exist but from the evidence provided by West Yorkshire Police (FOI Reference No: FOI-20112/256335) very little action is taken against those found guilty of racist behaviour or conduct. Below is a list of several cases published by West Yorkshire Police which clearly show that despite officers being found guilty of racist conduct they were only given written warnings or words of advice. Clearly police officers and staff are entrusted with extraordinary powers and responsibilities designed to protect society which therefore makes any racist conduct by them particularly aggravated and concerning. Please see the table below which details the number of racial behaviour related to disciplinary investigations made into police staff and officers in each of the last 5 financial years.

Year

Police Officers

Staff

2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 Rank of Officers Staff Constable Sergeant Inspector Special Constable

21 41 23 29 26

1 3 1 3 0

Number of Officers 8 116 9 2 1

Examples of real cases of racism 2006/7 A staff member was arrested for racially aggravated assault in a road traffic incident. It was alleged that the staff member used a racial swear word. The complaint was made by a member of public. The outcome of the investigation was that there was no case for the staff member to answer. 2007/8 Case 1 A staff member was alleged to have sent and received inappropriate and racist text messages on a police owned mobile phone. The complaint was made by a colleague. The outcome of the investigation was that a written warning was given to the staff member. Case 2 A staff member was alleged to have used inappropriate language, which was considered to have been racist. The complaint was made by a colleague. The outcome of the investigation was that a final written warning was given to the staff member. 2008/9 A staff member was alleged to have made a racist comment towards a colleague. The complaint was made by a colleague. The outcome of the investigation was that informal advice was given to the staff member. 2009/10 Case 1 and Case 2 A staff member was alleged to have bullied and harassed colleagues; this included using racist comments. The staff member was alleged to have used a racial swear word. Two separate complaints were made by colleagues. The outcome of the investigation into the two complaints was that a verbal warning was given to the staff member. Case 3 A staff member was alleged to have used inappropriate language and behaviour, some of which was racist in nature. The staff member was alleged to have used a racial swear word. A complaint was made by a colleague. The outcome of the investigation was that a final written warning was given to the staff member.

The number of racial offences detected by disposal in 2011 by West Yorkshire Police.

Year 2011

Recorded Charge Caution PND Crime 1514 521 97 6

TIC 1

Total Detections 625

The above table shows less than a 50% detection rate for racial offences. Clearly if racism is allowed to go unchallenged within the ranks or service then detection rate for racial offences will continue to be low. There needs to be a meaningful change in policy and attitudes. JUST calls for West Yorkshire Police and WYP Authority to undertake an urgent review.