Police watchdog to probe ‘heavy-handed' treatment and profiling of Irish Traveller children
It comes following an incident whereby they were allegedly forced back onto trains and prohibited from attending a Christmas market
A police watchdog is set to launch a probe into the alleged heavy-handed treatment, and racial profiling of Irish Traveller children.
It comes after a number of Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller youths were prohibited from attending a Christmas market in Manchester.
It's alleged that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) forced them back onto trains as they arrived at Manchester Victoria on November 23 of last year.
A dispersal order was issued on the day after police said 'intelligence' had been received about anti-social behaviour on trains.
A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that the watchdog has received a request to review the incident and the cop's handling of the complaint.
The Traveller Movement has asked for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review the case, saying the police response to their complaint.
Yvonne MacNamara, Chief Executive Officer, said the children involved had been "humiliated, manhandled and denied basic respect and safeguarding.'
The charity allege that children were separated from their families, subjected to abuse and remarks about their ethnicity, and forced onto trains going to unknown destinations.
Police reps met with The Traveller Movement to address their concerns following the incident.
"This forum was open and constructive," a spokesperson for the GMP said, adding that they looked 'forward to working more closely with community representatives going forward.'
Assistant Chief Constable for the GMP, Rick Jackson, expressed "regret at the distress caused" by the incident, and added that the use of police powers were "not taken lightly" and 'used with a great deal of consideration.'
"Our clients are hopeful that an IOPC review will expose what they believe is the clear institutional racism that led to this appalling incident,' a legal representative for The Traveller Movement said.
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Sunday World
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