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27
Jul 2020
Asian men get 'far more' coronavirus fines in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Police issued far more coronavirus fines than expected to young Asian men, according to an independent report published today.
The local police commissioner commented that it was a "concerning" development but said the force recognised the issue quickly.
Julia Mulligan said the force "found no evidence of bias" and that they all appear to have been issued "fairly and appropriately".
Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people made up 5.2% of the North Yorkshire population at the last census but account for 19.75% of the fines. The report suggested that the focus on the restriction of movement may have resulted in unconscious bias against those who did not fit the local profile.
Read more:
- More lockdown fines issued in North Yorkshire than anywhere else in England
- £100 fines for not wearing face masks ‘a last resort’, say police
Craven was identified in the report as a particular problem, where 43% of fines were given to BAME individuals. A large number of those were Asian visitors from West Yorkshire, with 97% of fines given to people from outside the area.
North Yorkshire Deputy Chief Constable Phil Cain said in response to the report:
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