Shock report on police and race in the West
BLACK people in Devon and Cornwall are three times more likely to be a victim of crime than white people, new figures show.
The force’s own research has also revealed that if you are black, you are 12 times more likely to be stopped and searched than if you are white, and if you are black you are 9.5 times more likely to be the subject of use of force.
In addition black people are six times more likely to be designated as a suspect and half as likely to receive a community resolution.
Police have pledged to act on the figures and make changes.
NEW Devon and Cornwall police figures have revealed black people are three times more likely to be a victim of crime than a white person.
The figures also show that if you are black, you are 12 times more likely to be stopped and searched than if you are white, and if you are black you are 9.5 times more likely to be the subject of use of force.
In addition black people are six times more likely to be designated as a suspect and half as likely to receive a community resolution.
It is the first time the police force has chosen to proactively publish its ethnically referenced data.
The internal performance figures from April 2019 to March 2020 reveal how individuals from ethnic minorities are dealt with.
It has prompted Devon & Cornwall Police to launch a new drive to combat discrimination in policing after listening to the concerns and experiences of people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Assistant chief constable Jim Colwell said: “The widespread coverage and public interest in the Black Lives Matter movement this summer has prompted a national re-examination of attitudes and practices.
“It has put the issues of equality, diversity, inclusion and fairness under greater scrutiny, including in relation to policing, but this is a much wider problem which affects society as a whole and not one that we can solve alone.
“The stark evidence of the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on people from minority ethnic communities has highlighted the devastating personal impact of racial disparity.
“It is clear from looking at our statistics and from listening to the lived experiences of ethnic minorities across the force area that we need to do more to understand this issue.
“To this end, we have launched indepth examination of the data we collect to discover what lies behind this disproportionality and are determined to work with our communities and other agencies to address the underlying causes of racial disparity.”
Data relating to Covid enforcement shows that 900 fixed penalty notices (FPN) were issued with black individuals 2.8 times more likely to receive an FPN.
Breaking the figures down by residency, people of a black, Asian and minority ethnic background who live within the force area are twice – 1.9 times – as likely to receive an FPN and those that live outside the force area are nearly seven times more likely to receive an FPN.
Devon & Cornwall Police has launched a wide-ranging audit of its working culture, systems and practices. This includes custody and criminal justice systems, training, recruitment, staff support, engagement and awareness.
ACC Colwell added: “I have assured people from the ethnic minority community in Devon and Cornwall that this is a genuine attempt to address this complex area – not a knee-jerk reaction – and one which will be conducted with their involvement.
“I have promised that we will listen and that we will be open and accountable - today is an important step in that process.”