Details of efforts being made to resolve problems affecting the Gypsy and Traveller community in Leicestershire were presented on Wednesday (September 4) to a focus group session attended by Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Clive Loader.
The Commissioner met local Gypsy and Traveller community members alongside members of the Leicestershire Working Together Group, which is the equalities challenge group to the Leicestershire Together Partnership, the Multi-Agency Traveller Unit and a police officer assigned to outreach work with the community. The meeting heard how issues ranging from hate crime, health inequality to settlement problems were being addressed.
The Commissioner also heard first-hand accounts of the relationship between the police and members of the Gypsy and Traveller community, concluding that there is always more that can be done to encourage community harmony.
Sir Clive commented: “There are usually two sides to every story and it’s important to hear both of them. Meetings such as this give me that opportunity.
“I was pleased to see the people there and to hear of the work they are doing to tackle hate crime and other unacceptable behaviour. I am now looking forward to working with these groups in the future to try to break down some of the barriers that can cause problems in communities.”
The Commissioner has now been invited to attend the next meeting of the Gypsy Liaison Council.
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Posted on Monday 9th May 2016