End Institutional Racism in Policing – Together
📢 It's Time to Hold Policing to Account
We are a campaign calling for urgent legislative reform and systemic change to address institutional racism in UK policing, with a focus on the Metropolitan Police. Our goal is to ensure that people from all ethnic backgrounds receive equal protection, treatment, and justice when interacting with the police. We envision a policing system in which every community feels respected, safe, and confident that law enforcement serves everyone fairly — regardless of race.
Institutional racism in policing is not a new problem. It has been well-documented through official inquiries, lived experiences, and decades of data. Yet despite repeated calls for reform, racial disparities in policing persist. This campaign demands meaningful, lasting change to build a justice system that works for all — not just a privileged few.
What Is Institutional Racism?
Institutional racism refers to patterns of inequality embedded in the structures, practices, and culture of institutions — including the police. It is not just about individual bias, but about systems that produce racially unequal outcomes, whether or not those outcomes are intended.
UK laws like the Equality Act 2010 and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 were designed to prevent discrimination. Yet the persistence of racial profiling, excessive use of force, and a lack of police accountability shows that these protections are not enough. The Macpherson Report (1999) labelled the Metropolitan Police "institutionally racist" — a term that still resonates today.
Why Can't the UK Do Better?
In contrast to the UK, Canada has taken more robust steps by introducing mandatory anti-racism training, enhanced transparency, stronger accountability measures for police officers involved in misconduct, Aswell as The Anti-Racism Strategy 2024–2028 outlines a comprehensive framework for confronting systemic discrimination in public institutions, including the police. If it can be done elsewhere — why not here?
Historical Events Highlighting Institutional Racism in Policing
Stephen Lawrence (UK, 1993)
Stephen Lawrence, a Black teenager, was murdered in a racially motivated attack. The police response was marked by delays, incompetence, and bias. The resulting Macpherson Report (1999) concluded that the Metropolitan Police was "institutionally racist," marking a watershed moment in public awareness.
Mangrove Nine Trial (UK, 1970)
Nine Black activists were charged with inciting a riot after protesting police harassment of the Mangrove restaurant in Notting Hill. Their trial exposed widespread racial discrimination in policing and became a historic victory in the fight for civil rights in Britain.
Mark Duggan (UK, 2011)
Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by police during a stop in Tottenham. His death sparked widespread protests and the 2011 London riots. Although the inquest jury ruled the killing lawful, the incident deepened mistrust between Black communities and the police, particularly due to concerns over how the operation was handled.