Council responds to PSNI Race and Ethnicity Action Plan consultation

Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) has responded to the PSNI’s ongoing Race and Ethnicity Action Plan 2025-27 consultation.

Councillors on the Health and Community committee approved the response which said it was “important people from all backgrounds have trust and faith in their police force”.

It added: “This Action Plan, once implemented, should go some way in re-establishing that trust with people from ethnic minority backgrounds. 

“It is timely that this Action Plan has been produced after the disturbances in the summer and it is to be welcomed that engagement has been restored with ethnic minority groups to ensure better cooperation and collaboration in future. 

“The unrest over the summer months was hugely traumatising for so many people from minority backgrounds. An atmosphere of fear and distrust was palpable. 

“Whilst it is recognised that the Police alone cannot solve the issues which caused these riots and unrest, it is still important that the PSNI recognise the need to be sensitive to minority communities and ensure that concerns are taken seriously and interactions are positive to build trust and rapport.”

Aladdin at the Millennium is a real Christmas treat

'The best show ever' - Penny Bradley

No mis-steak! £250 for a piece of meat in Tesco

Derry Tesco store charging up to £250 for piece of Aberdeen Angus beef

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s response also highlighted the fact one of the key themes under the Together Building a United Community Strategy from the Executive Office was ‘Our Cultural Expression’.

It added: “The shared aim of Our Cultural Expression is: to create a community, which promotes mutual respect and understanding, is strengthened by its diversity and where cultural expression is celebrated and embraced. This Action Plan will complement this outcome and assist in its delivery. 

“The Policing Plan Outcomes are also very closely linked to the TBUC Strategic Priorities. 

“It is important the action plan is targeted, resources and has measurable actions with clear responsibility for delivery and review.”

The Council response also voiced the concern ethnic minorities “report feeling vulnerable and fearful, especially after the recent protests and associated riots over the summer months”.

It said: “Minority groups need to feel that when they seek assistance, they will be treated with respect and have their concerns listened to and taken seriously. 

“DCSDC is supportive of positive proactive action being taken to tackle prejudicial attitudes towards minority communities; to tackle racial violence and improve reporting of hate crime, to promote values of acceptance and respect so as to improve good relations and to increase representation in public life. 

“The proposed action plan and associated workstreams should go a long way in addressing these concerns, it is imperative however, that there is a systemic change throughout the PSNI in how they interact with Ethnic Minorities.”

DCSDC said it believed the commitments in the action plan were  “clear”.

It added: “However, full commitment from all levels of personnel within the PSNI will be required to achieve these. 

“Some are very achievable and are basic in nature eg awareness raising, however, others will take more time and effort eg improving recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minority people within policing or enhancing confidence of victims of hate crime to come forward to Police and reduce the numbers subject to repeat victimisation. 

“Many commitments are dependent on others and will require a concerted effort on several fronts to achieve many of the commitments.”

In terms of the PSNI’s commitment to being an anti-racist organisation, DCSDC believed this should be a minimum requirement for all organisations. 

It added: “In acknowledging an issue within the organisation, the PSNI will require buy in and commitment from personnel at all levels. 

“DCSDC believes it is very positive that this approach is being taken to ensure that more effective policing is delivered for everyone in society. 

“The partnership approach employed by the PSNI in the wake of the recent riots through the Community Safety Response Mechanism illustrated that these are societal issues which require a co-ordinated and whole of Government and whole of society response.

“However, it is very important that all organisations are aware of potential issues within and take necessary steps to address these. 

“DCSDC is supportive of the Race and Ethnicity Action Plan and hopes it will serve people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Northern Ireland.”