"BRADFORD COPS SUPPORT COMBAT-18"

So said the headlines in Bradford's local press. This was following allegations made by Bradford Racial Equality Council (BREC) to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry that "victims of racial incidents dare not confide in the police because they fear officers sympathise with right wing groups like the BNP, NF or Combat 18". Despite their best efforts, the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry proved not to be the PR exercise the Police would have liked.

It is doubtful that this is what Jack Straw had in mind when he established the Inquiry to investigate the 'matters arising' from the racist murder of 18 year old Stephen Lawrence. Wednesday's public hearing in Bradford was part of a countrywide tour looking at how racially motivated incidents are tackled in different areas. The majority of the hearing seemed to be taken up by establishment organisations telling a former high court judge and his friends what a great job they are doing at challenging racism in their own organisation and in society at large.

In spite of their attempt to paint a rosy picture the police were criticised by various organisations. Following Assistant Chief Constable Lloyd Clarke's denial that West Yorkshire Police are inherently racist, many speakers called for zero tolerance of racism within the police. There were calls for racist police to be sacked on the spot, for youth workers to deal with inner city trouble instead of the police, and for the police to address their incompetence at dealing with racially motivated incidents.

The BREC talked of the complete lack of confidence in the police that prevents people from the ethnic minorities reporting incidents of racial harassment and violence. One example was given of Bradford police taking 10 days to respond to a racial attack. Another was of an Asian family who, after suffering racist abuse over eight years, had a bottle of urine thrown at them. The reaction of the attending police officer was "at least it wasn't petrol". With black people being four times as likely as whites to be stopped and searched by the police, the BREC stated that ethnic minorities feel policed but not protected.

Most organisations spoke endlessly of the need for a multi-agency approach from the grassroots up. Strange then that not one community group was allowed to make a representation to the hearing. Karl Oxford, one of the only African Caribbean speakers, accurately judged the mood of the audience when be called for an end to 'fancy talk', urging institutions to take action. Oxford suggested that ideas have to be developed by all sections of the community if effective policies are to be made.

Mohammed Taj of Bradford Trades Council asked the question on everyone's lips when he queried if recommendations made by inquiries such as this ever get implemented. Taj was part of the Bradford Commission who looked into the causes of the Manningham Riots. In his breakaway report Taj made a number of suggestions that the police have failed to consider, let alone act upon. One very practical recommendation was that police should not wear military-style vests and weapons on display in inner city areas. Not one of his proposals has been taken on board. Taj asserted that Bradford Police must state that 'racism will not be tolerated' or there will be no change.

Many speakers referred to the raw deal ethnic minority communities face from society in general. The entire Criminal Justice System faced heavy criticism - such as the huge over representation of ethnic minorities in prison. Areas such as education, housing and employment were described as endemically racist. One of the biggest cheers from the audience came when the National Curriculum was acknowledged as being hugely eurocentric.

Near the end of the hearing BREC called for everyone, particularly the white majority, to take responsibility for fighting racism. The BREC argued that both individual and collective action are crucial in the fight against racism. A poignant reminder of who was in the room came when Neville Lawrence applauded the accusation that in regards to racial harrassment and violence, "bystanders are as guilty as the perpetrators."

However much the hearing seemed to be little more than a PR exercise, the presence of Neville Lawrence pointed at the grim reality of why we were all there listening to the rhetoric. It is his fight for justice that forced this Inquiry to happen. Neville Lawrence spoke to KDIS of feeling tired but determined to stay strong: "I want something to come out of it for the future".

With local community voices conspicuous only by their absence, there was a sense of frustration in the hall as the hearing came to an end. One woman started shouting about how she had been badly beaten by the police, prompting hotel security thugs to surround the room. Most of the audience left quietly mumbling their dissatisfaction as the dignitaries were being photographed.

It seems doubtful that many people walking out through the heavily policed corridors will have much faith in the reassurances that came from the police, Bradford Council and the other organisations that things will actually change. Looking at one of the leaflets distributed at the hearing that described the death of a black man in police custody in Hull - there doesn't seem time to wait for this Inquiry to make its recommendations. If we want change, its up to us - all of us to fight for it.

The Stephen Lawrence Family Campaign

Metropolitan Police Press releases

Metropolitan Police Commissioners evidence to the Lawrence Inquiry (Part 2)

KDIS Online