Southmead sets record straight against Panorama investigation

The Panorama programme aired this week about the Southmead estate has caused outrage amongst its residents who both condemn the behaviour filmed but also feel it is not representative of its overall population.

Inspector Mark Runacres who has responsibility for Southmead agrees, saying: “We believe this documentary is an unfair portrayal of Southmead and the vast majority of people that live there.”

“Of course any incidence of racism is totally unacceptable and we always deal with it robustly but we want to make it absolutely clear that this documentary only concentrates on a small handful of individuals from the Southmead area. The Police and other agencies are already aware of who these individuals are and we are actively working with a majority of them to confront and tackle their problems.”

Similar behaviour was also found by Panorama reporters in St Anne’s, a district on the opposite side of the city where a recent Ofsted inspection at St Anne’s Park Primary School slammed pupil behaviour. The report stated: ‘A concern of a minority is pupils’ behaviour. One parent correctly summed up the situation, writing, ‘I think the school itself works hard to encourage good behaviour, but other influences, family values for instance, make this almost impossible.’

Tarring Bristol with racism has prompted Bristol City Council, the Police, Safer Bristol and the people of Southmead to set the record straight.

Councillor Gary Hopkins said, “A great deal of work has gone on by agencies and local residents to improve the safety and quality of life of everyone, whatever their age or race, living in Southmead. Whilst we know we still have more to do in the area the programme did not reflect this in anyway.”

Several initiatives are running in Southmead to improve the community, including; the youth club, youth projects in the local schools such as ‘Play your Part’ promoting good citizenship, community cohesion groups and celebrations of different religious groups held at the Greenway centre to promote understanding of different cultures.

Problem families are being targeted by the Family Intervention Project and the launch of Operation Staysafe last month.

Inspector Mark Runacres said “Finally it’s important to stress to families living in the area that they are safe. Despite the impression that Panorama may have given Southmead does not have a disproportionately higher incidence of race hate crimes than other areas in Bristol or indeed across the UK.”

“However, if anyone is the subject of racist abuse we urge them to contact the police immediately on 999. We will come down hard on anyone who commits race crimes in Southmead or anywhere else Bristol.”

The next Southmead PACT meeting is being held on Thursday 22nd October at 6.30pm at Wigton Crescent United Reform church. Any residents wishing to express their concerns or to suggest ways of tackling the issues raised in the Panorama documentary are invited to attend this meeting.