Tackling hate by driving diversity: A New Labour success story?
| Author | Liz Dixon |
| Published date | 01 September 2010 |
| Date | 01 September 2010 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0264550510381666 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Tackling hate by driving diversity:
A New Labour success story?
Liz Dixon, London Probation Trust
Abstract This article reflects on the role of government in policy and practice
developments regarding hate crime since the publication of the Lawrence Inquiry.
It examines the key findings from the inquiry into Stephen’s death and its impact
on specific criminal justice agencies. It reflects on the role of community activism.
It summarizes the progress agencies have made in addressing the role of bias
and hate in anti-social behaviour and offending. It explores the increased capac-
ity to ‘read’ demographic trends to build community cohesion and anticipate
community tensions. The article suggests that Labour’s leadership was a key driver
in this progressive area of criminal justice and was characterized by its willing-
ness to listen.
Keywords diversity, hate crime, Lawrence Inquiry, New Labour, policy and
practice
In 1997 the incoming Labour government agreed to conduct an inquiry into the
investigation of the racist murder of the black teenager Stephen Lawrence. It was
a momentous decision and was celebrated as a victory by the Lawrence family and
their campaign. The Lawrence campaign had gathered momentum and national
support and had raised the public profile of the incidence of racial attacks. There
had been three recent race murders in the London borough of Greenwich: Rolan
Adams, aged 17, murdered in 1991; Rohit Duggal, 17, in 1992; and Stephen
Lawrence in 1993. Although the perpetrators of the first two were convicted the
racial element of the crime was not acknowledged in sentencing. In the case of
Stephen Lawrence the perpetrators were never convicted. Two internal investiga-
tions into the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the investigation of Stephen’s murder
resulted in inconclusive outcomes. Given this, Jack Straw, the then Labour Home
Secretary, had initially stated that he was not minded to grant an inquiry. However,
he agreed to meet with Stephen Lawrence’s mother, Doreen, whom he says
The Journal of Community and Criminal Justice
Copyright ª2010 NAPO Vol 57(3): 314-321
DOI: 10.1177/0264550510381666
www.napo.org.uk
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