Police given race crime guidance

Officers are tackling more race-related crime

Police forces across Scotland have been issued with a manual to help them improve their handling of racially-motivated crimes.

In Edinburgh, bobbies on the beat will carry a pocket-sized memory card to act as a checklist of what action to take when called to what may be a racist incident.

The 31-page police manual covers the reporting and recording of racist crimes and how to investigate them, with particular emphasis on the need to reassure vulnerable victims of the police's long-term support.

Stephen Lawrence was murdered in south London

The manual also includes advice on the general policing of ethnic communities, the recruitment and career development of police officers from ethnic minorities and sections on training and fair practice.

The initiative by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) is in response to the official report on the investigation of the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.

It aims to stamp out what the Macpherson Report called "institutionalised racism" within police forces.

The manual has been welcomed by the Commission for Racial Equality but it warns that it is no substitute for proper training on racial issues.

Crime rise

Statistics released in February showed that the number of reported racially-motivated crimes in Strathclyde between April and December had risen by nearly 75% to 616.

In Lothian, the figure was 354, up 60%.

Senior officers said the rise in recorded race crimes is a measure of the extent of such offences and of the public's growing confidence in coming forward to lodge complaints.

Justice Minister Jim Wallace said: "I am pleased to welcome the launch of the Acpos racial diversity manual which provides the police with practical advice on a range of issues arising from the Macpherson Report.

"Acpos have consulted with the Stephen Lawrence inquiry steering group in producing the manual, demonstrating their commitment to producing a document which has the confidence of the whole community.

"The manual is an important indicator of the commitment of the police in Scotland to fight against racism."