The London Borough of Bexley has not only experienced racism and discrimination based on skin colour and biological differences or superiority over races, but also cultural and religious racism which has emerged within the borough. For example, September 2006 witnessed racist disturbances in the Belvedere, Erith and Thamesmead areas which involved 150 youths. Scores of police and a helicopter attempted to control the gangs as they rampaged through the streets (Bexley Extra, 2006). The racist incident which started near Belvedere Station was sparked when five Sikh boys got off the bus and a large gang of white youths shouted ‘Muslim bombers’. Nearby residents and the Sikh youths told how children as young as 10 participated in the racist chanting and rioting (Bexley Extra 2006). There were 70 youths shouting to police officers ‘we’re going to kill a nigger’ and ‘we’re nigger hunting’. Additionally, after the events of 7^th July 2005 in central London, Bexley saw the first violent reprisal to the bombings when the Sikh Gurdwara was attacked by a group of white youths. 

Raids have been carried out and arrests have been made in Erith, Northumberland Heath, Bexleyheath, Belvedere, Welling and Barnehurst in order to combat race hate crime in the borough (Bexley Extra, October 2005). Additionally, men in the borough have been charged for several racist attacks in London, the suspects are white and aged between 15 and 20. The police are still following up and investigating various race hate attacks.

Bexley Community Safety Strategy (2005) found that racially motivated offences increased by 18.5% between 2001/02 and 2003/04.

Figures from the Education Authority indicate that very few ethnic minority residents of the Bexley Borough become or are currently school governors. Only 4% of the total ethnic minority population are school governors in the Bexley Borough. Importantly, the figure of 4% represents mainly men and ethnic minority women, on the other hand, are hardly represented in the figures. See also Borough Profile.

For further information please refer to:

Boyle, D. & Mackie, S. (8^th Sept. 2006) ‘Gangs rampage through streets’. Bexley Extra.

www.bexley.gov.uk/services/elections/councilresults2002/index.html accessed 04/09/2006

www.bexley.gov.uk/service/elections/councilelections2006/index.html accessed 04/09/2006

www.core.ac.uk accessed 02/10/06

Racist Incident Summary 2003 – 2006. Bexley Local Education Authority. Obtained September 2006.

www.eoc.org.uk/default.aspx?page=19421 Equal Opportunities Commission. Accessed 13/10/06