The PSNI has denied advising people subjected to racist attacks to “negotiate” with community leaders with links to paramilitary organisations.
It follows recent evidence given to the Stormont Executive Office (TEO) committee by a member of the North West Migrants’ Forum (NWMF).
Beverly Simpson from NWMF told the committee “proscribed organisations were engaged in repeat harassment, intimidation and attacks”.
She added: “Our community members report being advised by the PSNI to consult, negotiate or listen to community leaders with a link to paramilitary organisations. This is not acceptable in any democratic, peaceful society.”
The committee heard from several representatives of ethnic minority organisations regarding the disorder which took place in August and subsequent race hate crimes.
Addressing the concerns expressed at the TEO committee, Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton told The Irish News that paramilitarism had “no place in our society”.
“It is not the policy or practice of the police service to suggest any victim engage or negotiate with paramilitary groups or figures,” he added.
“If this is a perception among some in our minority communities then that is a very real cause for concern, and I am urgently seeking a meeting with those representatives who spoke at Stormont to address their concerns directly.”
“As a service we do not underestimate the impact hate crimes have on victims, their families and wider communities. It is totally unacceptable that anyone is targeted simply because of who they are or where they come from.
“There is an onus on us all to support people who have chosen to make Northern Ireland their home, to engage communities impacted by hate, to challenge prejudice and help bring offenders to justice by making any relevant information available to police.”
Mr Singleton said Chief Constable Jon Boutcher had been “very clear about our response to racially motivated hate crime”.
“He told the Northern Ireland Policing Board earlier this month that the recent violence and criminality is a disgrace, and it will not be tolerated. I want to re-iterate his message again today,” said Mr Singleton.
“The PSNI will continue to stand with our diverse communities against those cowards who would attack them. We will police this situation as robustly as the law permits and do everything in our power to bring people to justice for these hateful crimes.”
A spokesperson for the NWMF told The Irish News: “The oral briefing by the North West Migrants Forum was a broad briefing reflecting on the experiences of the ethnic minority communities across Northern Ireland, drawing on statistical data and lived experience accounts.
“Thankfully in Derry we have not experienced the same level of racist violence and rioting comparable with Belfast where these claims of paramilitary involvement have been raised.”
