Question
A recent media report compiled from FOI statistics indicated that a disproportionate number of ethnic minority groups were fined for alleged breaches of Covid regulations, with black people and Irish travellers most affected.
What analysis has PSNI carried out on these figures?
Answer
Between 1 January 2021 and 31 July 2021, 4818 Covid Penalty Notices (PNs) were issued by the Police Service, 236, or 4.9%, of these were recorded as being issued to people from an ethnic minority background. During the same period, 647 Community Resolution Notices (CRNs) were issued, 2.9%, or 19, of these were recorded as being issued to people from an ethnic minority background. This compares to a population ratio of ethnic minority groups within Northern Ireland of 1.3% according to the 2011 census data. Thus the use of both CRNs and PNs in Northern Ireland has disproportionately impacted our communities from ethnic minority backgrounds.
The use of both CRNs and PNs in Northern Ireland has been consistent with the guidance issued by both the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) across the U.K.
Analysis carried out by the NPCC across England and Wales found that members of the Black and Asian communities were on average 1.8 times more likely to be subject of enforcement activity. Using the same methodology, ethnic minority groups in Northern Ireland were 2.2 times more likely to be subject to enforcement by way of CRN; higher than the average for the U.K. The available data does not present the whole picture though in relation to Police engagement over suspected Covid breaches, as lower levels of engagement that do not result in either CRN or PN are not recorded.
To what do PSNI attribute this major discrepancy?
The Police Service is committed to discharging its policing responsibilities in an inclusive, non-biased, lawful and proportionate manner. Issues arising from enforcement action were considered to identify any particular factors or trends.
No specific thematic issues relating to ethnicity have yet been identified through analysis. However, during the period covered by the reported figures, the vast majority of enforcement activity was in relation to gatherings in contravention of the Public Health Regulations, rather than individual breaches. In such circumstances, small numbers of cases disproportionately impact the overall statistics where gatherings involve large numbers from a single community.
The Police Service continues to closely monitor the use of a range of police powers by officers in an attempt to learn lessons and further develop our approach in line with our commitment to policing in an inclusive, non-biased, lawful and proportionate manner. This relates to the use of intrusive powers in a range of circumstances and not just in relation to enforcement of Coronavirus Regulations. The Police Powers Development Group, chaired by an Assistant Chief Constable, is now under review. The aim is to ensure that the Police Service has the most sophisticated understanding possible of its use of such powers, their impact on our communities, the outcomes and trends evident in their use and the reasons for disparities such as those highlighted within the question.
Liz Kimmins - Sinn Féin