This meeting, which takes place in the Council Chamber, includes much the same dramatis personae who attended the meeting last Thursday in the Mayor’s office at New Walk Centre: City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, and Leicester City BCU Commander Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon are out front. Dotted around the chamber are Deputy Mayor, Cllr Rory Palmer, Deputy Mayor; Assistant Mayor and Joint Cabinet Lead for Community Cohesion, Cllr Sarah Russell; Assistant Mayor and joint Cabinet Lead for Community Cohesion (and Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths), Cllr Manjula Sood; several City Council officers; and representatives of VCS organisations and other stakeholders, such as:
- African Caribbean Citizens Forum
- British Hindu Voice
- Federation of Muslim Organisations
- Leicester Hebrew Congregation
- Leicester Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Centre
- Leicester LINks
- The Race Equality Centre
- St Matthews Community Social Centre
- Sikh Welfare and Cultural Society
- Somali Development Services
- Voluntary Action LeicesterShire
The meeting has been called so that the Mayor and Police can give us a position statement: to tell us where we are now and what's in the pipeline over the next few days. In the spirit of open sharing and transparency, our part is to be critical friends. The meeting is conducted under the Chatham House Rule.
All leave and rest days have been cancelled for Leicestershire Police officers on Saturday 4 February. Rob Nixon assures us that all neighbourhood officers will be on their usual beats that day and that no one will be extracted to work in the city centre. For the first time, we discuss how the situation is being addressed in the county, not just the city.
Iconic buildings and sites throughout city and county have been identified by the authorities and special efforts will be made to ensure their security.
Older people throughout the city feel threatened by the impending event. Police and City Council are doing their best to counteract that feeling and are making visits to day centres, care facilities and nursing homes to reassure residents, staff and volunteers. Age UK in Humberstone Gate was closed on the day of the last demonstration and counter-demonstration. This made those older people who depend on Age UK for regular services feel vulnerable. And, of course, the most notable act of destruction during the social disturbances in the summer was the torching of Age UK's minibus, which doesn't help them feel any safer this time round.
The Tigers are playing at home that day against Newcastle Falcons, with 18,000 fans expected to turn out for the match. Police are in discussions with the Tigers about shifting the kick-off time from 1500.
Not for the first time, we recognise the importance of keeping the heart of the city beating on the day. Last time, the city centre was locked down for 24 hours, starting 1800 the evening before. Videos posted on YouTube show the city centre deserted save for those involved in the demonstration and counter-demonstration, which gives the whole event a surreal and uncanny appearance. We don't want that to be the image of Leicester that stays in people's minds. Friday 3 February is the first night of Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival. People should be able to enjoy themselves without worrying about what might happen the next day.
There will be another meeting of the Independent Advisory Group next week, when more details will be known about what's expected to happen on the day.
After the meeting, I talk with Urban Canon Barry Naylor about the vigil to be held in Leicester Cathedral on the Friday evening immediately before the day of the demonstrations. It sounds like it's set to be a genuinely inter-faith event, I'm glad to say. I offer my services to help out in any way I can.
No comments:
Post a Comment