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Ethnic minority groups ‘disproportionately’ punished for Covid-19 breaches

Monday, 27 July 2020 4:14 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 27 July 2020 4:14 PM ]

Ethnic minorities in Britain are more likely to die from Covid-19 than white British people

As part of their drive to enforce lockdown and broader coronavirus containment measures, police forces across England and Wales have disproportionately targeted Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) people.

According to figures released by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), people of BAME background are 1.6 times more likely to be fined than white people on the grounds of breaching coronavirus restrictions.

However, a more detailed breakdown of the figures reveals an even starker reality: men of BAME background are four times more likely to be fined than young white males.

In real terms, that means a group that represents only 14 percent of the population is at the receiving end of 57 percent of fines.

The figures released by the NPCC are based on analysis by government statisticians of 17,039 fixed penalty notices imposed over a two-month period between March and May in England and Wales.

Reacting to the figures, NPCC chairman, Martin Hewitt said: "While it is a complex picture, it is a concern to see disparity between white and black, Asian or ethnic minority people”.

"Each [Police] force [in England and Wales] will be looking at this carefully to assess and mitigate any risks of bias - conscious or unconscious - and to minimize disproportionate impact wherever possible”, Hewitt added.

The latest set of statistics pointing to discrimination come in the wake of multiple reports establishing that Covid-19 has disproportionately affected ethnic minority communities across Britain.