New Home Office quarterly crime figures released today reveal that its influence on policy and policing has had a negative effect on children while ethnic minorities continue to be unfairly targeted.
The statistics show that nearly 500 more anti-social behaviour orders were issued against children from January – September 2005 than in that period the previous year. The figures also indicate that black people are six times more likely than whites to be stopped and searched by police.
Director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti said:
“Sadly these figures don’t show us a safe and inclusive Britain, they demonstrate how broad powers and sloppy policy have swept up minorities and young people.
These statistics show that the Government has been successful in promoting anti-social behaviour orders but what about the kids with ADHD or Tourettes who are banned from swearing and set up for inevitable failure? Worryingly, naming and shaming juveniles is also increasing, destroying a child’s chance of rehabilitation while ostracizing the parents.
We would hope that in 2006, dark skin does not a suspect make, but how can this discrepancy be explained?”
Contact: Jen Corlew on 0207 378 3656 or 07973 831 128
NOTES TO EDITORS1. New quarterly crime statistics can be found at
www.crimereduction.gov.uk
