Zack Polanski believes racial discrimination in policing is a problem – especially when it comes to drugs. Along with Sian Berry, the Green Party’s mayoral candidate, he would deprioritise police wasting time on cannabis possession, allowing them to focus on serious and violent crime.
Zack’s eyes were opened when he and a friend were stopped and searched. It was the first time for him, but his friend, who is black, had been stopped countless times. Although they were soon released, it made Zack realise how different his experience had been as someone who isn’t black.
Last week University College London published research that showed that white young people are twice as likely to be taking drugs as their black peers. Yet the government’s own figures show that black people are nine times more likely to face stop and search that white people.
This is a huge drain on the Met’s resources and is exacerbating tensions between minority communities and the police, says Polanski.
“We need a holistic approach to solve the problems of violence in our capital. Reducing needless harassment of minority groups on our streets will be the first step down a better path.”
“Young people of colour are under-protected and overpoliced” according to a London Assembly candidate for the Green Party.
Zack Polanski believes racial discrimination in policing is a problem – especially when it comes to drugs. Along with Sian Berry, the Green Party’s mayoral candidate, he would deprioritise police wasting time on cannabis possession, allowing them to focus on serious and violent crime.
Zack’s eyes were opened when he and a friend were stopped and searched. It was the first time for him, but his friend, who is black, had been stopped countless times. Although they were soon released, it made Zack realise how different his experience had been as someone who isn’t black.
Last week University College London published research that showed that white young people are twice as likely to be taking drugs as their black peers. Yet the government’s own figures show that black people are nine times more likely to face stop and search that white people.
This is a huge drain on the Met’s resources and is exacerbating tensions between minority communities and the police, says Polanski.
“We need a holistic approach to solve the problems of violence in our capital. Reducing needless harassment of minority groups on our streets will be the first step down a better path.”