CRACKDOWN ON HATE CRIMINALS

3:59pm Tuesday 27th March 2001

DAWN raids aimed at tackling the London-wide menace of hate crime led to six people being arrested in Lewisham, last week.

Officers from the Lewisham Community Safety Unit (CSU) arrested the six, as part of the borough's contribution to the Metropolitan Police's Operation Athena.

Of those arrested, four were charged with offences including racially-motivated threats to kill, racially-aggravated common assault and actual bodily harm.

One person was cautioned on grounds of assault and another was bailed, pending further investigations.

The Metropolitan-wide early-morning operation followed the launch earlier this month of the March Against Hate.

It is being hailed by senior police officers as an example of the continual efforts made by officers of the CSUs in fighting hate crime.

A key part of the campaign is an advert currently being shown on more then 300 cinema screens across London, aiming to encourage youngsters to report crimes to CSUs.

And, in a bid to encourage callers, 200,000 leaflets containing free phone cards are being distributed in cinemas, pubs, clubs and colleges.

Lewisham police's Superintendent Jeff Harris said: “A number of people were arrested in this borough and will be prosecuted where possible.

“Those in local authority or housing association accommodation may be subject to action where their tenancy is concerned.

“Hate crime in this borough will not be tolerated and, where we are able to take action, we will deal with it very firmly.”

Raids in neighbouring Greenwich led to eight people being arrested and two being charged, one with homophobic harassment and another with domestic violence.

A third person was cautioned for a racially aggravated assault in Woolwich town centre.

DS Alex Rothwell from Greenwich CSU said: “We were not doing anything different from any other day, but it was about raising people's awareness of hate crime in the capital.”

One of the initiatives set up by the unit is a “race crime car”, manned by two officers from the CSU which has been successful in securing witnesses and forensic evidence at the scene of race-related incidents.

Anyone who has been a victim of a hate crime should call Lewisham CSU on 020 8284 5855, Greenwich CSU on 020 8284 9865 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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