Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Police chief urges law change for positive discrimination

Ethnic minority representation in West Yorkshire Police has increased to 8.6 per cent

Police chief urges law change for positive discrimination

THE chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, John Robins, has called for a change in the law, allowing police forces to engage in positive discrimination to increase the number of ethnic minority officers, reported The Telegraph.

Robins has become the first in England and Wales to address this issue.


He said that it is time for a change in law to boost the recruitment of black and Asian candidates.

Following the Good Friday agreement, positive discrimination for Catholics was successfully implemented in the Northern Ireland police service.

According to Robins, similar measures are needed in England and Wales, despite it being currently illegal.

He stressed that despite extensive efforts over several decades, systemic issues persist in the recruitment process, warranting a change in legislation.

The chief constable said that implementing such a change would not lower the recruitment standards. Instead, it would provide better opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups who meet the requirements to join the police force.

Recently, Sarah Crew, Avon and Somerset’s chief constable, became the first in England and Wales to say her force is institutionally racist.

While speaking to his local BBC station, Robins also expressed concerns about the current financial limitations faced by the police, stating that they are unable to provide the desired level of service to the people of West Yorkshire.

In his opinion, the force has been experiencing challenges similar to the ongoing cost-of-living-crisis since 2010 due to increased expenses.

With a reduction of 2,000 officers and staff and a decrease in funding by £140 million, he lamented that his ambitions cannot be fully realised.

Consequently, services like neighborhood policing have been impacted, falling short of both his and the public's expectations.

According to an analysis by the independent think tank, the Police Foundation, it is projected that the police service would require until 2079 to attain a workforce that reflects the ethnic diversity of England and Wales.

It said the government should develop a plan to improve workforce diversity, setting targets for female and ethnic minority recruitment for each force then introduce time-limited positive discrimination until these goals had been met.

Home Office data revealed that white people accounted for 91.9 per cent of police officers, compared with 81.7 per cent in the general population as indicated by the 2021 census.

In terms of police officers, individuals of Asian descent constituted 3.7 per cent, contrasting with the general population where they accounted for 9.3 per cent. Similarly, the representation of black individuals in the police force was 1.3 per cent, compared to their presence in the general population at four per cent.

People with mixed ethnicity comprised 2.5 per cent in the force, slightly lower than their representation in the general population at 2.9 per cent. For other ethnic groups, the proportion of police officers was 0.7 per cent, compared to 2.1 per cent in the general population.

In West Yorkshire, the police force has witnessed an increase in ethnic diversity, with 16.26 per cent of new recruits coming from ethnic minority backgrounds. As a result, the overall percentage of ethnic minority representation has risen by a third to 8.6 per cent.

The Baroness Casey review of the Metropolitan Police concluded that the force exhibited institutional racism and misogyny. However, both Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and home secretary Suella Braverman declined to endorse it.

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less