Published date:
Commenting on reports of vigilantism, Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime NI Geraldine Hanna said:
“I have been sickened and deeply troubled by the videos we have seen online and, in the media, showing people being harassed on the street in Belfast due to the colour of their skin.
“My first thoughts are with those who have been accosted simply because they are in a public space and not white.
“I can only imagine their terror at being confronted and demonised by these gangs.
“Gangs, with no right or legal reason, stopping people who are of a different race to them and demanding to see their papers is something from an Orwellian nightmare.
“These chilling incidents are also potentially racially motivated hate crimes, creating more victims, and I trust the police will do everything in their power to curb these groups and investigate where a hate crime may have been committed.
“There are many things that need to be done to better protect and support victims of crime, this is not one of them.
“The gangs who are carrying out this harassment have no right to claim authority over our streets.
“They create victims, breed fear, and there is no justification for them taking it upon themselves to go about harassing and intimidating people.
“We have a criminal justice system for a reason and if anyone has concerns about suspicious activity or law breaking, they should contact the police.”
ENDS//..
Notes to editors
- For media queries contact Jason Ashford on email comms@cvocni.org