Northern Ireland

Policing of BLM protests damaged relations with black and ethnic minority groups, says PSNI chief

PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

POLICING of the Black Lives Matter protests last year damaged relations with black and ethnic minority groups, the PSNI chief constable has said.

Simon Byrne said "sometimes it's about being bold enough to say when things have gone wrong".

His comments came at an event organised by the North West Migrants Forum in Derry, which was attended by some members who were involved in organising the June 2020 protests.

Around 70 fines were issued at protests that month in Belfast and Derry.

But the decision to issue the fines led to accusations of inconsistency in the PSNI's approach to enforcement of regulations in relation to gatherings.

Mr Byrne later apologised after the Police Ombudsman found justification in claims the handling of protests was unfair and discriminatory. The report by Marie Anderson stated it was "not intentional and not based on race or ethnicity".

Mr Byrne said after the publication of the report that the "time is right to show some humility and say sorry".

Just last month, it was announced that 14 people referred to the Public Prosecution Service for potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations at the events in Belfast and Derry would not be prosecuted.

Speaking at the event on Saturday, Mr Byrne said that despite the PSNI's "best efforts and intentions" at the protests, things had gone wrong.

"I think the overwhelming message I have received from today is humility counts," he told the BBC.

He said it was now about finding "words and actions to move forward together to protect all of our community".

Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who runs the North West Migrants Forum and was involved in organising the BLM protests in Derry, said: "The wrongs were made right and I think it is time now we start building relationships so that our community can build the confidence with the police".