New plan to tackle racism in city

Somali families have been among the victims of racist attacks

A new strategy to tackle racism in Bristol has been drawn up.

Key figures from the police, city council and other community groups will sign up to the Race Equality Community Cohesion Action Plan (Reccap).

The strategy is a revised version of a 2005 action plan put together by local resident-led group, Community at Heart.

The group said recent racist attacks on Somalis on the Hillfields estate highlighted the need for a more consistent approach to the problem.

A dozen Somali families were moved out of the troubled estate after several incidents, including scarves being pulled off and verbal abuse.

Shared future

Community at Heart was set up to oversee the delivery of the £50m Bristol New Deal for Communities (NDC) regeneration programme in Barton Hill, the Dings, and parts of Redfield and Lawrence Hill over a 10-year period.

Lead Race Equality Officer, Andrew McLean, said: "Reccap is a real triumph for mutual respect, cooperation and the belief that when we all work together, no matter what our differences, we have a shared future and can all live together free from racist aggression and discrimination.

"These are the qualities we all want for all our neighbourhoods and communities not just across Bristol but also across the UK."

The original 2005 action plan is said to have achieved extensive results, including the resolution of conflict between residents of Ashmead House in Barton Hill.