Diane Abbott Responds to Shocking Crime Statistics

09 Jul 2008

MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington Diane Abbott spoke out today in light of government crime statistics that showed black people are more than seven times more likely to be stopped and searched than their white counterparts.

The figures, representing the three years up until 2006/07, also show that despite only making up 2.8% of the population black people made up 11% of murder victims. There was a 3.7% recorded rise in racist incidents during the same time period.

Commenting on the figures, Diane said today:

"These figures show that 15 years after the murder of Stephen Lawrence we still have a long way to go with police-community relations. It is appalling that being black or Asian increases your chance of being murdered. And the increase in the use of stop and search against black and Asian people runs contrary to improving police relations with these communities. Stop and search is mistrusted by black and ethnic minority communities because they believe they are being unfairly targeted. These figures would appear to uphold that belief. Police must work more closely with communities if we are to make any significant difference to figures like these in the future."

Ends

For more information please call Caitlin Farrow on 020 7219 4426 or email farrowc@parliament.uk 



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