Report raises police racism fears

The study was carried out for Scotland's two largest police forces

Young people from ethnic minority groups in Scotland believe some actions by the police amount to racism, according to a new report.

The research commissioned by Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders Police found racism was still an everyday occurrence.

Many also said they lacked confidence in police judgement and added that they would not bother reporting incidents.

The two forces said the study would help address young peoples' concerns.

The research by Glasgow Caledonian University was aimed at finding out more about the lives of young people from ethnic minorities.

It found young Muslims in particular wanted more sensitive policing of religious festivals.

'Racist violence'

But some praised community officers and they expressed a belief that better training would help improve relations.

Liz Frondigoun, the lead author of the report and a lecturer in sociology and criminology at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: "There are problems of racism on an everyday basis, there are racist incidents, there is racist violence.

"But what we also found is that the young people in this research were positive things could be done."

Many of the youngsters expressed the view that the general situation regarding racism, and relations with the police, was much better in Scotland than south of the border.

Figures have shown an increase in racist incidents since the recent Glasgow Airport terrorist attack.

Strathclyde's Assistant Chief Constable John Neilson said he was encouraged by the reports findings.

"It was felt that the good relationship that we have with the black and minority ethnic community has generally been with the older generation," he said.

"The research allowed us to engage with a group of young people who previously might have been regarded as hard to reach."

Mr Neilson added: "Young people must also be assured that if they are victims of racial abuse, police will act and they will be afforded the full protection of the law."