| Back in London... |
| Tuesday, 30 August 2005 12:46 |
|
I returned from my summer holiday last week.
The night before I left, I went to a Muslim Safety Forum
Meeting in Tooting, organised by the Borough Liasion Office, Chief
Inspector Derek Theobald, to discuss the issues that affect the Muslim
Communities of Wandsworth following the events of the 7th and 21st of July 2005
and to develop a local Safety Forum for the Muslim people of Wandsworth. The
meeting was attended by local community leaders and other representatives from
the Muslim community, with particular emphasis on women and young
people.
There was a discussion in respect of the current policing position, the opportunity to expand 3rd party crime reporting (particularly in respect of hate crime) and an update on the position in respect of Stop and Search and reported hate crimes. The meeting was very positive and well attended. It was a good opportunity for the local community to give their views and discuss issues with the police. A Sub group has been set up and I look forward to seeing the progress made on this front. The Metropolitan Police has set up a free 24 hour helpline to offer advice and support to anyone who feels vulnerable as a result of the terrorist attacks in London: 0800 0282390. Another thing I have been working on recently is a joint statement with the Mayor of London, Liberty, The Muslim Council of Britain and the Muslim Association of Britain responding to the proposals that have been announced for anti terror legislation. You can find out more about this here and also on the Greater London Authority website. I also sent a copy of the Home Office consultation, ‘Exclusion or Deportation from the UK on Non-Conducive Grounds’ to local churches, mosques and temples, urging people to give their views on the proposals. The consultation document listed ‘unacceptable behaviours’ that contribute to the fomenting, glorifying or justifying of terrorism, and I was keen to see the local community involved in consultations over new anti terror legislation. I have sent the responses I received directly to the Home Office. The consultation has now closed, and the details of the results are on the Home Office website. Yesterday, I went along to the Tamil Chariot Festival. We gathered at the early hour of 8am outside the Hindu Temple on Upper Tooting Road, and about 100 or so people formed the procession to Figges Marsh Common in Mitcham. On the Common there was a festival of dance, drama and music, and about 5000 people came along to this. The festival is now in its fifth year and is a bank holiday highlight in Tooting. |
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