Stop "casual stereotyping" of racial groups

Public 'more sophisticated' about race

The chair of the equality and human rights commission has said politicians need to be wary of "casual stereotyping" of racial groups, ePolitix has reported.

Appearing before the home affairs committee yesterday, Trevor Phillips was asked for his view on recent comments from Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

Jack Straw was heavily criticised when he claimed that groups of Asian men are systematically targeting white girls for abuse.

Former home secretary Straw spoke up after two men of Asian origin were convicted sexual assault charges against girls in Derby.

"There is a specific problem which involves Pakistani heritage men... who target vulnerable young white girls," he claimed.

Phillips said he does not disagree with Straw's remarks.

He said it was also reasonable for the home affairs committee chair Keith Vaz to say Straw was wrong to stereotype an entire community.

"The question for us (the EHRC) is whether it is being properly investigated," he said.

He called on politicians to tread "extremely carefully" and recognise the importance of language and the need to avoid "casual stereotyping".

Phillips also said politicians and the press are not as "sophisticated" about these issues as the general population.

He said "most British people accept" that these crimes were not committed by "the whole community".

Criminals use the "cover" of the community, he added.

Phillips said some black people use that cover to deal in drugs, but the public know not all black people are drug dealers.

He added that there is nothing in Pakistani or Muslim culture that condones the assaults and indeed those communities were as horrified as everyone else at what took place.

James Clappison (Con, Hertsmere) said former Labour MP Ann Cryer was "brave" to take the issue up.

He added that "a tiny fragment" of the Pakistani community were responsible for the crimes in Derby.

Phillips was also asked about police stop and search.

He agreed with David Winnick (Lab, Walsall North) that too many black people are stopped by police.

Phillips said the commission is changing its approach towards evidence-led positions rather than responding to "anxiety among communities".

Last year the EHRC published a report, "Stop and Think", on the issue.

Comparisons between forces shows significant disparities, and the commission started proceedings against three forces.

Thames Valley police have already changed their guidance as a result of the EHRC's work, he told the committee.

Phillips said the situation with the Met police is "more complicated", and they are "not perfect".

However, the constant focus on London means that "other forces who are objectively doing worse are let off".