Police respond to Muslim group's boycott

ROTHERHAM’S district commander says he is making urgent efforts to speak to a Muslim group which called for a boycott of South Yorkshire Police.

British Muslim Youth members voted on Sunday to cut all forms of engagement with the force, saying not enough is being done to stem an increase in hate crime since the Jay report.

But Chief Supt Jason Harwin warned: “Disengagement potentially puts the community at risk if an individual or a section of society feels they cannot speak to police about issues that concern them.”

British Muslim Youth founder Muhbeen Hussain said 300 people had attended the Unity Centre meeting on Sunday and more than 1,000 signed a petition in 24 hours backing the move.

The group’s statement said: “South Yorkshire Police have piggybacked on this hostile environment towards the Muslim community by deflecting the attention of their own failures by scapegoating us.

“Since the Jay report was published, the Muslim community has been under perpetual attack and demonisation.

“This is further perpetuated by 14 far right demonstrations that have zapped poison into our community.

“In turn, our women have been threatened with rape, children attacked, mosques vandalised, men physically assaulted whilst out earning their livelihood and an elderly man being murdered.”

The group quoted figures from hate crime group Tell MAMA saying there had been 27 anti-Islam attacks in the past 12 months.

Chief Supt Harwin said: “We are aware that there have been increased tensions in Rotherham since the publication of the Jay report.

“We have not had any formal approach from British Muslim Youth to address the issues raised in their meeting , which is disappointing because we are in regular contact with representatives from the Muslim community to discuss issues affecting Rotherham.

“I am making efforts to speak to the group urgently to resolve this matter. We accept that we have made mistakes in the past but we are absolutely committed to identifying those who commit this despicable crime and bringing them before the courts.

“At a time where factions would look to divide our community, it has never been more important for us to move forward and move forward together.”

He added that the force had made representations to the Home Office and was seeking legal advice about options for future demonstrations.

British Muslim Youth said other Muslim groups not backing the diengagement would also be boycotted.

The statement added: “We will not be treated as criminals any longer, nor will we be held responsible for acts of personal self-defence.”