Leeds GATE response to Kate Green and Greater Manchester Combined Authority following investigation into city centre mass dispersal order
Leeds GATE response to Kate Green and Greater Manchester Combined Authority following investigation of Greater Manchester Police’s use of a mass dispersal order in Manchester city centre on November 23rd.
We acknowledge the positive work of Kate Green to address the concerns of Gypsies and Travellers, however, we feel that the investigation and the latest Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) statement from December 17th do not go far enough.
In particular we still need to see:
- A formal apology to our communities
- A recognition that the dispersal order disproportionately impacted these ethnic groups and therefore in its operation, was racially targeted
- That Greater Manchester Police conduct a formal review of its safeguarding arrangements in light of what’s happened and establish processes to keep children safe
- A specific plan around how Gypsy and Traveller communities will be engaged moving forward, which includes GM Police taking accountability via processes such as scrutiny
We have contacted all families that we know were affected and supported families to complain. We are also following up with those families about the civil case with ITN Law Firm - more info on The Traveller Movement’s video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnbulyjfbQQ
We have been in discussions with our own Deputy Mayor for Policing about how we ensure this never happens in West Yorkshire and are meeting them in the new year to discuss this with our communities.
We have also written to key local partners and asked them to act in solidarity with our members to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
We will continue to support individuals and families, and push for change and accountability into the new year.
The latest GMCA statement can be read below: