Essex Police were today accused of racial prejudice after claiming travellers were responsible for a sharp rise in bogus callers.

Officers found that a large percentage of con-trick crimes were carried out by travellers who had been moved on from the north of England by a major police operation.

Police intelligence indicated that criminals "displaced" by the operation moved into Essex, staying at travellers' sites.

Essex Police launched Operation Grizzlybear late last year following a three-year rise in artifice crimes - con tricks and bogus calls.

An article in this month's Essex Police newspaper The Law says: "A large percentage of those believed to be responsible were those who travelled, often stopping at transient sites."

Ann Bagehot, spokeswoman for the Gypsy Council, said the article showed prejudice towards travellers.

She said: "Why identify travellers? Would they identify Jews, white or black people as being statistically responsible for a particular crime?

"The article adds to race hatred. I support statements about not trusting bogus callers, but to draw attention to travellers is irresponsible."

A police spokesman said: "The indication that transients are involved is correct.

"It is appropriate to identify individuals responsible for offences. It would be detrimental to the law-abiding public if we were not able to make them aware of issues and trends in crime."

Published Thursday, June 12, 2003

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