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The BBC's Judith Maloney reports
"Some of those arrested will appear in court on Friday"

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Wednesday, 22 March, 2000, 23:55 GMT

Police raids target racists

Operation Athena aims to make communities safer

Police have charged 16 people with offences of racism after 100 arrests were made in a series of raids across London and the south east.

The Metropolitan Police swoops came as part of Operation Athena, a campaign aimed at cracking down on racist crime in the capital.

Our goal is to eradicate the fear and distress caused by hate crime

Det Ch Supt John Godsave

Scotland Yard said the charges included racial assault, harassment and racially motivated criminal damage.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Godsave, in charge of the operation, said: "Our aim is to create a hostile environment for those who, because of racism and prejudice, wish to undermine communities and destroy the principle of justice for all, regardless of colour, race, creed or sexual orientation.

"The community safety units in all 32 boroughs specifically target those who perpetrate racist and violent crimes in their communities."

'Safer communities'

Mr Godsave added: "Every day, the police officers in these units are working to stamp out hate crime and make their communities safer for those people who live and work there.

"Our goal is to eradicate the fear and distress caused by hate crime.

More racist crimes are being reported

"Operation Athena is a step forward in achieving this."

Operation Athena is co-ordinated by the force's racial and violent crimes task force.

Wednesday's arrests took place in Newham, Staines, Hounslow, Richmond, Dagenham, Barnet, Brent, Greenwich, Havering, Islington and Reading.

The borough community safety units, set up in June last year, work with the community, councils and other bodies to protect the victims of hate crime and domestic violence.

As part of Operation Athena, they aim to raise the profile of racial and hate crime.

The number of racist crimes being reported in the UK is rising sharply. Police believe greater awareness has encouraged more victims to come forward.

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See also:

09 Dec 99 | UK
Steep rise in reported racist incidents

15 Dec 99 | UK
Racism fears 'holding back police'

21 Feb 00 | UK
British society 'still racist'

Internet links:

Metropolitan Police

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