Rise in racist attacks
01 September 1991
In a written answer to Keith Vaz on racist attacks, Peter Lloyd, Minister of State at the Home Office, said that 6,459 racial incidents were reported to police forces during 1990. Later in another written answer, using figures compiled by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary, the number of incidents for 1990 was 6,359 - up on the previous year by over 1,000. The difference between the two figures is not clear.
A recent report by the Greenwich Action Committee Against Racist Attacks claims that 254 racist incidents were reported to them in the south-east London area in the past year. The figure is nearly a hundred more than in the previous year.
Southwark council has also reported a wave of racist incidents in the borough, with 30 attacks taking place in three months. This spate of attacks coincided with the BNP's decision to stand a candidate in a local by-election. Their candidate, Stephen Tyler, poled 132 votes. Black groups are planning to hold a march and rally to demonstrate against the attacks, which the BNP have threatened to oppose.
Hansard written answer 6.6.91, 3.7.91; South London Press, 23.7.91