HUNDREDS CELEBRATE PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY IN LEICESTER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Hundreds celebrate Pakistan Independence Day in Leicester

Hundreds of people poured on to the street to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day in Leicester last night.

St Peters Road, in Highfields, was closed by police from about 10pm as revellers gathered and celebrated by dancing, waving flags and sounding hooters.

The road, which was shut from East Park Road to Melbourne Road, re-opened at about midnight.

Inspector Ben Gillard, of Spinney Hills police station, wrote on social networking website Twitter: “Flags and high spirits in the Highfields for Pakistan independence day. All good natured.”

After the road re-opened he added: “Everything good humoured, people polite and friendly. A pleasure to police #credittoLeicester.”

Celebrations are also expected tonight to mark Indian Independence Day.

Festivities normally begin in the Belgrave Road area during the day and the street is often closed by police during the evening as revellers gather waving flags.

In Leicester, the celebrations traditionally involve a street party on Belgrave Road, a party in Cossington Park, and cultural performances at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre. Thousands of people attend the annual celebrations in the City.

SPIRITUAL LEADER ATTACKED IN LEICESTER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji

Spiritual leader attacked in Leicester

A spiritual leader was taken to hospital after being attacked in the early hours of the morning in Leicester.

Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, the spiritual head of the Namdhari community worldwide, was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment after the assault.

Police were called to the Gurdwara Namdhari in Linden Street, Leicester, at approximately 5.25am on Sunday August 11 following a report of an assault.

Officers attended the scene where Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji was found to have been assaulted.

A 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody.

At this time police believe it was an isolated incident, which was carried out by a single person.

Investigations are ongoing and police would ask anyone who has information about the incident or was in the Linden Street area between 3am and 6am on Sunday August 11 to contact them on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ATTACKS ON SOMALIS "ARE UP SINCE KILLING OF LEE RIGBY"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Attacks on Somalis "are up since killing of Lee Rigby"

by Ciaran Fagan

Members of the Somali community fear they are suffering an anti-Islamic backlash following the death of soldier Lee Rigby.

Somalis said they have been spat at, verbally abused and, in some cases, thugs have tried to pull off women's veils or scarves.

Jawaahir Daahir, founder and chief executive of Somali Development Services, a community group in Highfields, Leicester, said it was hearing more reports of abuse than it would usually expect.

The group met senior police officers on Tuesday to outline its concerns.

Ms Daahir said: "You cannot know what motivates people to do these things, but we have noticed an increase in incidents since the tragic death of Lee Rigby.

"There has been swearing and racist language in some cases, but also there have been incidents of people being attacked."

We have heard a woman had to run into a shop in the city centre to escape from some men and we have also heard stories of two women being spat at.

Another woman posted on Facebook that she was afraid to leave her home and felt she was under house arrest."

Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon, head of policing in the city, said reported incidents would be investigated.

He said: "The incidents referred to by Jawaahir are very concerning.

"I would urge anyone with information or who has suffered to contact us.

"Since the death of Lee Rigby, we have been carrying out significant work within the community, including daily messages to community leaders, reassurance visits and patrols.

"We pride ourselves on the strong relationship we have with the Somali community and hope if there are any concerns regarding the recent events they can approach us with confidence."

Suleman Nagdi, spokesman for Leicestershire's Federation of Muslim Organisations, said: "We have not picked up on any increase in incidents since the tragic death of Lee Rigby.

"There is always the possibility these things are happening to people but are not being reported to the police.

"We would urge people to report all incidents of this nature, so the people who are responsible can be held to account.

"Officers are searching for a cyclist who tried to pull off a Muslim woman's face veil as he rode past her in London Road, Leicester. The woman was targeted as she walked with her family to Victoria Park at 6.50pm on Sunday, May 26. On Monday this week, the letters EDL – thought to refer to the English Defence League – were written on a bin at Oadby Islamic Centre, in Sandhurst Street. In the past year, Leicestershire Police said it had seen a 9.9 per cent reduction in hate crimes – with 44 fewer offences than in the previous year.Anyone with information should call police on 101.

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE UPDATE, 28 MAY 2013

Leicestershire Police is again pleased to report that there have been no incidents in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland connected with the murder of a soldier in Woolwich.

There was a search in the Granby Street area of the city centre last night (Monday) after a report that members of the public were carrying a firearm. This is believed to have been an air rifle. Three people were arrested. No members of the public were harmed or threatened.

We are returning patrols to normal levels. This will be the last update connected to the Woolwich incident unless there is a change in the situation.

If you have continuing concerns, or information which can assist, please contact us on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Brendan McGrath
Corporate Communications Department

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE UPDATE, 27 MAY 2013

Dear George

We are pleased to be able to say that there continue to be no incidents in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland directly connected to last week’s murder of a soldier in Woolwich.

However, yesterday evening (Sunday May 26) there was an altercation in Bede Park. There had been a football match between white, black and Asian youths, which ended with one person being assaulted. There may have been racist comments made, although we are still trying to confirm this and a thorough investigation is taking place into what happened. Dedicated patrols in and around the park have been put in place today to reassure the community and prevent any further related incidents.

We are also aware of a number of rumours circulating on social media in relation to racially-aggravated assaults and attacks on children by extreme right wing groups. These have no basis in truth. We would ask everyone to ignore these rumours and not to take actions in to their own hands; if you have genuine concerns or information, please contact us on 101.

There will be a further update tomorrow (Tuesday), which is likely to be the last unless the situation changes significantly.

Rob Nixon, Chief Superintendent, Leicester City BCU

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE UPDATE, 26 MAY 2013

Dear George Ballentyne,

On the fourth day following the events in Woolwich we are very pleased to tell you that there have been no local incidents which may be related to the tragic death of Drummer Lee Rigby. 

It’s reassuring to report that the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland remain calm and there has been no significant incident or activity since our last update.  It really is an indication of how strong our community relations are.

You may be aware that there was a gathering in Leicester yesterday by the Clock Tower by approximately fifty people who walked to the memorial at the Town Hall to pay their respects to the fallen soldier. This was a very low key and peaceful event.

Local officers are still working in their neighborhoods across the bank holiday weekend, linking in with faith groups and partners, listening to concerns of our communities and to give reassurance. 

There is still no intelligence to suggest there will be a negative reaction locally to events in London but we will continue to monitor this and will update you of any developments. Similarly, if anyone in your community has any information and concerns they can help us in our efforts by calling 101.

Once again, thank you for your help and assistance over the past few days. The people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are very proud of the excellent community relations and the respect we have for different cultures, communities and religious beliefs and the vast majority clearly want this to continue.

Rob Nixon

Chief Superintendent

Leicester City BCU Commander

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE UPDATE, 25 MAY 2013

Dear George

As a trusted partner we feel it is important to keep you updated this morning with regards to any local incidents which may be related to events in Woolwich.

It’s reassuring to report that, three days after the tragic events in London, the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland remain calm and there has been no significant incident or activity since our last update. 

Local officers will continue their work in their neighbourhoods across the bank holiday weekend, linking in with faith groups and partners, listening to concerns of our communities and to give reassurance.   

There is still no intelligence to suggest there will be a negative reaction locally to events in London but we will continue to monitor this and will update you of any developments. Similarly, if anyone in your community has any information and concerns they can help us in our efforts by calling 101. 

It was great to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, to Leicester yesterday and hear him and Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, the assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, calling for unity. It seems that the people of Leicester support that message too. 

Once again, thank you for your help and assistance over the past few days. The people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are very proud of the excellent community relations and the respect we have for different cultures, communities and religious beliefs and the vast majority clearly want this to continue.

Rob Nixon

Chief Superintendent

Leicester City BCU Commander

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE UPDATE, 24 MAY 2013

Dear George

As a trusted partner we felt it important to give you a quick update this morning with regards to any local incidents which may be related to events in Woolwich.

It’s reassuring to report that the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland remained calm and there has been no incident or activity since our last update.

We did arrest a 42-year-old man yesterday for possession of an offensive weapon after he was seen in Wordsworth Road in the Welford Road area of Leicester with a large knife. However, we must stress that this was an isolated incident and in no way connected to domestic extremism. If you are approached by anyone in your community about this incident today please reassure them that this man is in custody and there are no extremist links.

Local officers will continue their work in their neighbourhoods, linking in with faith groups and partners, listening to concerns of our communities and to give reassurance. 

There is still no intelligence to suggest there will be a negative reaction to events in London but we will continue to monitor this and will update you of any developments. Similarly, if anyone in your community has any information and concerns they can help us in our efforts by calling 101.

Once again, thank you for your help and assistance over the past few days. The people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are very proud of the excellent community relations and the respect we have for different cultures, communities and religious beliefs and the vast majority clearly want this to continue.

Rob Nixon

Chief Superintendent
Leicester City BCU Commander

DIVERSITY DAY IS RELEVANT TO ALL OUR LIVES

This is from the Mercury Opinion column in today's Leicester Mercury:

Diversity Day is relevant to all our lives

We are pleased to be joining forces with Leicestershire Police today to produce a series of features to mark Diversity Day. The official title of this day is the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

If that sounds a little worthy and unwieldy, please do not be put off.The ideas and goals which underpin this event are very much grounded in reality and are relevant to all our lives.

It was sanctioned by the United Nations in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The declaration had been worked on for some time before that but the atrocity in New York emphasised the need to encourage and promote peaceful co-existence.

Diversity Day aims to put a worldwide focus on breaking down the barriers which sometimes separate us from one another and prevent the sort of division and misunderstanding which leads to disharmony and violence.

It is not just a day on the international calendar, but is also supported by some practical steps.

These include a Facebook page headlined Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion, which provides people from around the world with a forum to share their experiences and stories through posts and videos.

Leicester also has a great story to tell about diversity and peaceful co-existence.

This city has one of the most diverse populations in the UK and is rightly proud of its good record in community relations.

Indeed, other cities in Europe look at Leicester to learn lessons.However, we have to guard against complacency.

More needs to be done and it is vital to continue the process of promoting dialogue and understanding.

Many individuals and organisations in Leicester from many cultural backgrounds have worked incredibly hard and with great commitment over the past 30 or 40 years to build the community relations of which we are proud.

We now have to carry on their good work and ensure that we strive towards and live up to the goals of Diversity Day – every day.

REPORT GAY DOMESTIC ABUSE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Inspector Mark Parish, head of Leicestershire Police's domestic violence investigation unit

Report gay domestic abuse

by Ciaran Fagan

Police have launched a campaign to encourage gay people to come forward if they are being abused by their partners.

The drive was launched yesterday as police believe the crime is particularly under-reported.

Posters which bear the message "Domestic abuse doesn't discriminate – and nor do we" are being distributed across Leicestershire.

In 2011-12, the force investigated 81 reports of domestic crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people – a small fraction of the 17,000-plus offences reported to the force in the past year.

Also, a survey carried out at Leicester Pride two years ago found that 46 per cent of those questioned had experienced some form of domestic violence.

Detective Inspector Mark Parish, who leads the force's domestic abuse investigation unit, said: "When you compare surveys of people's experience with recorded crime, it is clear members of the LGBT communities are under-reporting domestic abuse.

"There are likely to be two main reasons for this.

"The first is they may not recognise the signs of abuse, and what help there is available.

"The second is that, historically, there has been distrust between police and LGBT communities. However, things have changed. You can have confidence Leicestershire Police will listen to your issues and carry out a professional investigation without discrimination."

The campaign is being supported by domestic violence organisations and Leicester's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Centre in Wellington Street, in the city centre. It was launched yesterday at the Rainbow and Dove pub, a gay venue.

Paula Harris, co-chairman for the LGBT Community Safety Forum, said: "It is great to see police are taking this matter seriously.

"Hopefully, these posters will raise people's awareness that domestic abuse can and does happen in any type of relationship and it is not just about physical violence. I would urge anyone living in an abusive relationship to report it."

Meena Kumari, manager of domestic violence support service Safe Leicester, said: "Safe takes domestic abuse seriously.

"This is a real under-reported crime and would like to help the community gain the level of support they are entitled to."

SIKHS BRING A SPLASH OF COLOUR & MUSIC TO LEICESTER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Sikhs bring a splash of colour and music to Leicester

by Tom Mack

More than 15,000 people were drawn to the city centre yesterday for one of the most colourful parades of the year.

The annual Vaisakhi procession saw people from Sikh temples all over the region parade through the centre of Leicester from the temple in Holy Bones, near St Nicolas Circle, to the temple in East Park Road, Evington.

Drums and religious songs reverberated through the streets as the crowds made there way along the three-mile route, with drinks and snacks to keep them going.

The procession was headed by a drummer on the back of a vehicle, followed by more than a dozen barefoot sweepers, clearing the streets with brooms ahead of the flag and sword bearers.

For Sikhs, Vaisakhi commemorates the founding in 1699 of the Sikh community, the Khalsa, and for Hindus marks the start of the New Year.

The first vehicle in the parade, with musicians and the scriptures known as the Guru Granth Sahib, was followed by dozens of school children. Behind them were more vehicles and thousands more people.

As the parade made its way through the city, more and more people joined in.

Gurjeet Kaur, 32, of the Narborough Road area of Leicester, who was there with her family, said: "We come every year and it's always a very happy event.

"People come from a long way away because this is the biggest event of the year for us and although there are others elsewhere in the UK, this is the best.

"There are thousands of people.

"We love coming to follow it through the city and sing traditional songs.

"There are snacks along the way to keep our energy up – lots of samosas and drinks."

 

Balbir Singh Ram, 40, of Braunstone Town, Leicester, was also there with his family.

He said: "I've done this every year since I was little and it's lovely on days like this when the sun's out.

"A lot of people join the parade as it moves along but a lot of other people, who aren't Sikhs, come and watch, so I think it's a good multi-cultural event as well.

"Leicester City Council and the police always make a big effort and they're to be applauded."

It was the first parade for three-year-old Gurnnoor Singh, of Belgrave.

His dad, Satinder, 42, said: "Last time he was in his pram so this is the first time he's walking and I'm sure he'll make it the whole way.

"It's a long way but we never feel tired because we're celebrating and so everyone's happy.

"It's a very nice event and it's lovely weather, too."

In the last four processions combined, more than £16,000 was collected for charities along the way.

This year the collection was in aid of Anthony Nolan, Leicester General Hospital's kidney unit, the Teenage Cancer Trust, the Sikh Organisation for Prisoner Welfare and the Sukrit Education Trust.

Leicester City councillor Inderjit Singh Gugnani, who represents Knighton ward, was among the organisers of the event.

He said: "The nicest thing about the day is when I see people from other communities opening their doors and being interested in what's happening."

OPEN MEETING: HATE CRIME & CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

This evening the Council of Faiths hosts an open meeting, "Hate Crime and the Criminal Justice System", at the University of Leicester.

This is the fourth in a series of such meetings, on topics of interest to people from all sorts of communities across the city. I've posted on this blog about the three earlier meetings:

• Faith in Family, 20 November 2012
• God in My Faith, 13 March 2012
• Open Meeting with City Mayor, 31 January 2012

Despite extensive preparations for this evening, we haven't produced signage (note to self: do that for any future meetings we hold on campus), and it's easy to miss the entrance to Lecture Theatre 3 in the Ken Edwards Building if you haven't been here before. So I spend the first half hour outside at the top of the pathway, rounding up stragglers. It's cold (the gritters are out already) but worth it, as I redirect more than half a dozen people who appear to have missed the venue - including one of the speakers.

A panel of four distinguished, experienced and knowledgeable speakers have been invited to address the topics of Hate Crime and the Criminal Justice System from their own perspectives (professional and personal), then answer questions from the audience. Each of the speakers had a different perspective to offer (professional and personal) and it would be fair to say that not all of the speakers agreed on how these such crimes - and the underlying attitudes that allow them to persist - are treated in society. But such differences of opinion and approach are aired in a courteous manner and lead to some thought-provoking discussion.

Detective Superintendent David Sandall at the podium

First speaker: Detective Superintendent David Sandall, Head of Safeguarding and Lead for Hate Crime, Leicestershire Police.

Neil Chakroborti at the podium

Second speaker: Neil Chakroborti, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of Leicester and Director of the Leicester Hate Crime Project.

Chino Cabon at the podium

Third speaker: Chino Cabon, Senior Race Equality Officer, The Race Equality Centre - demonstrating his mastery of the double karate chop emphasis there.

Luman Ali at the podium

Fourth and final speaker: Luman Ali, Secretary, Federation of Muslim Organisations. Luman stepped in at late notice for Suleman Nagdi, Chair of the Muslim Burial Council for Leicestershire and PR Officer for FMO.

The Rt Revd Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester, had accepted the invitation to chair the meeting, but has to withdraw, due to ill health. Tony Nelson, who had taken responsibility for organising the meeting, chaired in Bishop Tim's stead. Tony (who represents the Leicester Hebrew Congregation on Leicester Council of Faiths) is in the centre of the photo below, flanked by the speakers.

There are 50 attendees (not counting the speakers and chair), many of them representing communities, groups and organisations with first hand experience of crimes committed against their members on account of disability, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation among a variety of reasons. More than one person spoke about the effect of belonging to a group which has been unfairly accused of perpetrating hate crime.

Light refreshments are served at the end of the meeting, allowing attendees to mix, mingle and network for a further half hour. Another note to self: take greater care to clean up after eating oily finger food. When putting away our generic pop-up banner, the thing slips from my grasp and takes a bit of a doing, leaving some visible damage. That's the first such hit that any of our banners has taken in more than four years of regular use.

We're grateful to those agencies which backed up this event with their own personnel, resources and time, such as Victim Support, whose display is shown above.

All photos posted here were taken by Ambrose Musiyiwa (Civic Leicester). Ambrose recorded two videos of the proceedings this evening: one of the main presentations by the four speakers and one of the Q&A that followed them. They are now available on YouTube. Our thanks got to Ambrose for his tireless support!

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS SUBJECT OF TALK

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Criminal justice is subject of talk

A conference about hate crime and the criminal justice system is being held at the University of Leicester tonight.

Hosted by Leicester Council of Faiths, it takes place in lecture theatre three, in the Ken Edwards Building, University Road, at 7pm.

Speakers include Chino Cabon, of The Race Equality Centre, Neil Chakroborti, a senior lecturer in criminology, Suleman Nagdi, chairman of the Muslim Burial Council of Leicestershire and Detective Superintendent David Sandall.

To attend, call 0116 254 6868 or e-mail: info@leicestercouncil offaiths.org.uk

HATE CRIME VICTIM BACKS APPEAL TO REPORT ATTACKS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Hate crime victim backs appeal to report attack

A transsexual who was punched and knocked unconscious within moments of walking into a pub has spoken out in support of a campaign to highlight hate crime.

Giovanna Del Nord was hit in the head without warning by a stranger as she waited to be served in a pub in central Leicester in October.

The 46-year-old, who moved to the city last year, believes the man attacked her because she is undergoing sex change therapy.

She is a year into a four-and-a-half year course of therapy which will result in a sex change.

She spoke out yesterday at Leicestershire County Council's offices in Glenfield to support a campaign which encourages victims of hate crimes to come forward.

Stop and Tell is highlighting the plight of people who face abuse – physical, verbal or written – because of their race, religion, age, disability or sexuality. It is placing particular emphasis on crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

Awareness-raising events including displays at libraries and council offices, school assemblies, roadshows and staff training are being held across Leicestershire.

Giovanna said: "I spoke because I wanted to let people know that they should tell the authorities about crimes committed against them.

"What happened to me has happened to many other people but they have never told anyone.

"It is important people who carry out hate crimes are brought to justice."

Between April, 2011, and March, 2012, 631 hate crimes were reported to Leicestershire Police – about 40 against gay people. Attacks on transsexuals were in single figures.

Councillor Joe Orson, cabinet member for safer communities, said: "Incidents of hate should not be tolerated and everyone who lives, works in or visits Leicestershire has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to live without fear of hatred.

"We believe hate incidents are under-reported by people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered and we hope this campaign will go some way to demonstrate that help, support and advice is available."

Darren Goddard, Leicestershire Police's hate crime officer, urged people to contact the Hate Incident Monitoring Project (HIMP), which is monitoring the extent and nature of such crimes.

He said: "Sadly, incidents of hate often go underreported.

"HIMP is another way for people to report their experiences.

"Working with HIMP enables the police to better protect our communities and ensure those responsible are held to account."

Stop and Tell has been co-ordinated by the county, district and borough councils, Leicester LGBT Centre, police and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.

Contact the Hate Incident Monitoring Project on 0116 305 8263 or visit the website below.

Alternatively, visit a council office or library, which are reporting centres for hate incidents.

In an emergency, call 999.

www.leics.gov.uk/reporthate

UNITED APPROACH TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

United approach to celebrate diversity

Police and councils are flying a rainbow flag outside their bases in a show of support for the gay community.

The flag is flying outside Leicestershire police headquarters in Enderby, County Hall in Glenfield and Leicester Town Hall to mark the national launch of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month.

Leicestershire's assistant chief constable Steph Morgan, who speaks on LGBT issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "Flying the rainbow flag together in this way is a symbol of our joint commitment to the LGBT community locally and is part of ongoing work with our local authority partners to create a just and fair society for all.

"As national LGBT strategic policing lead, I was pleased to see 10 police forces, including Leicestershire police, featured in the Stonewall 100 Index of gay-friendly employers in January 2013.

"LGBT History Month is a great opportunity to become aware of the challenges LGBT people face everyday."

Councillor Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: "We are delighted to be joining our colleagues at Leicestershire police and Leicester City Council in raising the flag to mark the start of LGBT History Month.

"LGBT people have overcome huge challenges throughout history, both here in Leicestershire and across the world.

"This month is about remembering the contribution of those people and celebrating the diversity of our city and county."

Councillor Manjula Sood, assistant mayor of Leicester, said: "The city council is committed to celebrating Leicester's diversity."

THE BIG QUESTIONS, LIVE FROM LEICESTER

BBC One's The Big Questions is broadcast live from Samworth Enterprise Academy, Leicester, this morning. I've said before that I'm no fan of this kind of show and have turned down several invitations to appear on them over the years. While I’m all in favour of honest open discussion, I favour more the statement attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, that “if two people quarrel over some religious subjects, both of them are wrong.” I make an exception for today’s broadcast and watch it for the sake of the blog. I wrote about a previous edition of the programme broadcast from the same venue. There's a change in the format this time in that there's no panel of experts out front (which I think is an improvement). Nicky Campbell hosts the programme, on which three "big questions" are discussed:

1. "Is it time for the police to favour black candidates?"
2. "Is criticism of Israel anti-Semitic?"
3. "Should gay couples be allowed to marry?"

I recognise several members of the audience. Leicestershire Sikh Alliance was well represented by Raj Mann (who spoke on the first topic), Harjit Singh (who spoke on the second topic), Kartar Singh (who raises his hand to speak several times, but to no avail) and Jasdeep Singh Lamaar. Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Assiatant Secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain, spoke on the second and third topics. Revd Canon Dr David Jennings, Vicar of Burbage, spoke on all three topics. Also in the audience is Resham Singh Sandhu, former High Sheriff of Leicestershire and former Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths. Last time I watched this show, there were several members of Leicester Secular Society in the audience. This time round, though, I don't see anyone I recognise from the Secular Society.

I don't like how shouty and bad tempered these programmes can become. That's not the best way to address religious, ethical and moral issues in the public eye. A big part of the reason why I have generally negative feelings about The Big Questions is the fact that, while it is undoubtedly worthwhile for it to travel the country and come from a different locality each week, the people who make the major contributions to the discussion and the groups they represent are not from the area. That might be considered fair enough, since the topics discussed are national or international in nature. For instance, while discussing the first question, Nicky Campbell refers to the 2011 Census results for Leicester (admittedly, in a rather "off the cuff" manner) backing up the conventional and historical argument that it's important for the police force to be representative of the community they are policing. I would say it’s not right that there's no one in the studio from Leicestershire Police, nor any statement from them or any description of the nature of diversity within Leicestershire Police (figures for which are readily available; I've got them and so has just about everyone else in Leicester and Leicestershire who is interested). There’s no one from the Jewish communities of Leicester (nor anyone from Leicester involved in the Palestinian issue) to engage with the second question. A similar argument goes for the third topic. I can say that because I know the local scene well enough to be able to spot the “well kent faces” (or those conspicuous by their absence). But the casual viewer inside or outside Leicester might be led to the conclusion that they’re getting a sense or flavour of how these issues play in Leicester, when that’s not the case.

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE: "NO TOLERANCE FOR DISCRIMINATION"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Leicestershire Police: "No tolerance for discrimination"

Police have warned that there is no tolerance in Leicester for discrimination.

They spoke after Liam Ferrar (24) admitted religiously-aggravated harassment aimed at the Muslim community.

The force said Ferrar was arrested and charged within three days of the incident, in which he left a pig's head outside a community centre in Thurnby Lodge, in the city, where a Muslim group held prayers.

Superintendent Mark Newcombe said: "This was clearly a religiously- motivated offence which was directed at those using the community centre as a Muslim place of worship, who found the incident extremely upsetting and shocking.

"We have no tolerance for discrimination in Leicester, of any kind, and the majority of people in the area were left very upset by the incident."

He said he hoped that Thursday's hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court would "send a clear message to people like Ferrar, that all those in the criminal justice system will do all they can to bring you to justice".

Judith Walker, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Everyone has the right to practice their faith without fear of harassment.

"There is no place in our community for this kind of action that deliberately targets people on the grounds of their religion and the Crown Prosecution Service takes this kind of offending extremely seriously.

"Liam Ferrar admitted that he had left the head at the community centre and, in charging the offence, we were satisfied that his actions were motivated by hostility to cause shock and distress.

"Pigs hold a particular significance in the Muslim faith and this action was highly offensive to his victims."

The court was told that on the evening of December 25 last year, Ferrar went to Thurnby Lodge Community Centre, in Thurncourt Road, and placed the pig's head by the locked doors.

The head was facing outwards, towards the worshippers from Muslim group As Salaam, who arrived at the centre the following morning, Boxing Day.

The community centre has been the scene of regular protests since the summer over a former Scout hut nearby, which Leicester City Council was going to allow As Salaam members to use for prayers instead of the community centre.

The protesters wanted the Scout hut to be kept for use by the wider community.

PUPIL'S LEARN FROM MUM'S ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Pupils learn from mum's anti-bullying campaign

A mother whose daughter was murdered simply because she was dressed as a goth brought her campaign for an end to bullying to Leicestershire yesterday.

Sylvia Lancaster told a group of young people in Loughborough how her daughter, Sophie, was beaten unconscious in a park in Lancashire in August 2007.

Sophie later died of her injuries.

It later emerged the 20-year-old and her boyfriend had been picked out because they were dressed as goths.

Mrs Lancaster's charity, the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, visits schools, youth centres and prisons to tackle the problem of bullying and intolerance among young people.

The campaign, called Sophie – Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance, Everywhere – came to Loughborough's Limehurst Academy yesterday.

It is the first school in Leicestershire to use an educational pack produced by the charity.

Speaking after she had spent the afternoon with students at the Bridge Street school, Mrs Lancaster said: "After my daughter died I wanted to do something to help prevent anything like this ever happening again.

"The kids at Limehurst were fabulous. They didn't know who I was or what had happened to my daughter until I told them.

"I find young people respond to her story because they know it might have been them, their sister or the girl next door."

All secondary schools in the city and county now have packs, which include a film about Sophie's death and a game which encourages students to examine their preconceptions and prejudices about people who are different to them because of fashion, race, faith, sexuality or disability.

Darren Goddard, Leicestershire Police's hate crime officer, said: "Limehurst Academy does not have a problem with bullying, but I have said to schools that they don't have to have that problem to get involved in a campaign like this.

"It's a very simple message – just because someone doesn't look exactly like you, behave the same or even be able to do things you can do, it doesn't mean they are not a human being.

"It's a message the children can take with them away from school and out into the community."

Sheila Fisher, deputy head of the academy, said: "The message Sylvia brought to the school is very much one we teach every day, but for the students to hear it from someone who has had such a personal experience gave it more resonance."

Teachers from about 40 of city and county schoools attended Leicestershire Police headquarters in Enderby on Tuesday to meet Mrs Lancaster, who still lives in Lancashire, and to learn how to use the pack in their schools.

www.sophielancasterfoundation.com