Police to tackle asylum tension

Chief police officers warn of 'significant public disorder'

Police across the UK are being told to draw up plans to prevent racial tension and violence spreading between asylum seekers and the communities in which they are housed.

An Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) report, obtained by BBC Radio 5Live, warns of "significant public disorder" unless action is taken.

We're getting reports of harassment against asylum-seekers on a daily basis

Nick Hardwick, British Refugee Council

Racist abuse that would never be tolerated if directed at other minorities has become "common currency" towards refugees, it states.

But the document also acknowledges that animosity and the potential for trouble are an ever-present danger within refugee communities.

The document is said to make 28 recommendations, including better liaison between police and asylum agencies and a co-ordinated media strategy on stories and issues about asylum-seekers.

Culture clash

An ACPO spokesman said: "We have written a report on this subject, which is to be launched next month. For the moment we do not wish to comment further."

The report warns that within refugee communities, animosity and the potential for trouble is an "ever-present danger" because of the mix of different nationalities and cultures which are in conflict in their home countries.

A mistrust of authority in general and the police in particular is hampering criminal investigations, the report states.

It also questions the police's role in detecting and expelling immigration offenders.

Many asylum seekers are housed in hostels

The effect on police resources of a two-year target of 60,000 removals is causing chief officers great concern.

The government will shortly publish the latest asylum statistics - which are expected to show that a record number of people applied to stay in the UK last year.

Commission for Racial Equality spokesman Chris Myant said the group had been working with the ACPO in developing the guidance, but did not wish to comment on the findings until the text was published.

But he did add that police officers needed "proper training" to deal with members of asylum seekers' and refugee groups, and the communities in which refugees live.

'Improved communication'

British Refugee Council director Nick Hardwick told the BBC: "We're getting reports of harassment against asylum-seekers on a daily basis."

But he added that improved communication could help the situation.

"If people have good information about who's coming and why then that dispels lots of the concerns that exist.

"But if people suddenly wake up one day to find a whole group of young men in their area and they don't know anything about them, then the rumours start to fly and that allows people with prejudiced and racist views to get a purchase and you start to get serious incidents.

"There has to be a very proactive policy by local authorities, national government and the voluntary sector to make sure there is good information out there."

Habib Rahman, chief executive of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, also said that he was very keen to see the report.