"Hate crime" raids in London

The BBC is reporting sweeping dawn raids this morning across London. Apparently some 150 addresses have been targeted and at least 60 arrests have been made.

The raids signal the start of a day of police action against "hate crime" - offences against people on the grounds of their race, faith, religion, disability, or sexuality.
Posters in newspapers and on the Tube and trains urging victims of hate crime to come forward are running as part of a two-week campaign by the Metropolitan Police.
Commander Cressida Dick, director of the Diversity Directorate, denied the operation was simply a publicity stunt.

The BBC story is headed by a picture of a Muslim family with "RACISM" superimposed in white block letters.

Meanwhile, the Queen has just presented the British government's plans for new legislation against crime and "antisocial behavior". Among other provisions, it will allow judges and juries to hear defendants' "relevant previous convictions"; new restrictions on airguns also seem to be on the horizon.

Posted by David on November 13, 2002 10:56 AM