NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – RADLETT, HERTS, UK

27 September 2020

RADLETT ACTION FOR RACIAL EQUALITY (RARE) CALLS FOR INQUIRY INTO HEAVY HANDED POLICE TACTICS

In a video circulated widely on social media a black woman was seen on the pavement being held down and surrounded by 5 white police officers. She can be seen shouting and crying at various times. This happened on Saturday 8 August 2020 outside a Jewellers in Borehamwood some 2 miles from Radlett.

RARE Co-Founder Lauren Blum said “We are appalled that this could happen on our doorstep. The Police mistreatment of Black people must stop. Police must be held accountable for their actions. We have written to the Independent Office for Police Complaints (IOPC) and to David Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire Police to demand inquiries into the incident and that action be taken against any officer found to have broken acted unlawfully.” “We have received a response from Mr. Lloyd and we await the outcome of the inquiry”. As policing is an area of particular concern we intend to become involved with the work of the Commissioner at a strategic level to ensure that the Black Community and all our communities are kept safe.”

“From what we could see in the video the Police officers were not wearing masks in breach of government rules to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

“We are pleased that the IOPC has agreed to conduct an inquiry into this incident. We will be monitoring the inquiry very closely and look forward to its recommendations.”

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Notes to editors

*Link to RARE’s website www.RadlettActionRacialEquality.org

About Radlett Action for Racial Equality (RARE)

RARE was formed by concerned residents of Radlett, Herts following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent global protests led by Black Lives Matter activists. RARE aims to stamp out racism in their village and amongst their wider professional spheres and to strengthen bonds between people of all races, ethnicities, and religions.

Press Contact: Lauren Blum 01727 380221
Email: [email protected]


About Radlett?
Radlett is a small affluent village in Hertfordshire in England with a population of some 8,500.

About RARE
Mission: To help educate the local community on both the historic and current struggles of Black and ethnic minority people and to provide the impetus for the celebration and encouragement of diversity in all spheres of our community including the public, private and professional.

RARE will hold regular and accessible activities in its community and online to foster greater understanding and better relations between all its people.

RARE comprises people from all backgrounds and welcomes all supporters and anyone who wants to end systemic inequality.

RARE’s Aims

To promote education on the history and current persecution and discrimination of black and minority ethnic people.
To spread awareness amongst the Hertfordshire community of the welfare of black and ethnic minority people around the world and specifically in the UK.
To help strengthen and form relations and solidarity between different ethnicities and religions in our community.
To recognise and celebrate all cultures within our community
To work with and affiliate with organisations who are actively anti-racist and promote racial equality.
To recognise the wealth and privilege within our own local community and encourage donations and other forms of activism where possible.

The Group members recognise that they have wealth and privilege in certain communities. They, therefore, intend to utilise the various privileges to engage in meaningful and impactful change.

For more information visit RARE’s website www.RadlettActionRacialEquality.org

You can follow RARE on your favourite social media platform

Facebook: RadlettActionForRacialEquality
Twitter @RadlettEquality

Instagram @RadlettEquality

Email: [email protected]

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