Devon Patriot

Safer Devon Partnership

A colleague recently gave me a copy of the Safer Devon Partnership booklet that he had down-loaded from the Devon County Council (DCC) website.  Out of interest I went to the DCC website to find out more; this is what they say about themselves:

The Safer Devon Partnership aims to work together to enable the people of Devon to feel and be safe in their homes and communities.  Partners include all four of the Community Safety Partnerships in the County, the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Devon, Probation Service and the Youth Offending Service.  Together we are stronger.

The vision for the Safer Devon Partnership is to ensure Devon’s communities are places where people:

• Feel, and are safe from crime and anti-social behaviour
• Feel, and are safe from abuse, discrimination and harassment
• Are at low risk of accident, both in their own homes and in the wider community
• Have a sense of belonging to their local neighbourhood and/or “community of interest”
• Have access to a range of support services in relation to community safety
• Identify key community safety issues/concerns and contribute to shaping the solutions to these

Our priorities are to address:

• The most harmful offending behaviour
• Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• Anti-Social Behaviour
• Domestic Abuse
• Prejudice and Hate Crime
• Youth Crime

The introduction on their website appears all very commendable, which nobody will find objectionable; apart from Prejudice and Hate Crime that appears to be an attack on freedom of expression.  Why we need such an organization in a cohesive and homogenous society that we still have in Devon is open to debate.   

Further inspection of the website revealed that the main purpose of the Safer Devon Partnership was to be found in a down-loadable attachment on the website entitled the Devon BME Directory - with BME meaning Black and Minority Ethnic.  It became clear that the organization’s function was solely to serve the needs and demands of immigrants, and had no interest in serving the needs of the indigenous population.

Section 1 of the Safer Devon Partnership directory includes the following:

Voluntary and Community Sector Organizations and Projects

Amber Initiatives         Set up to assist Migrant Workers from the Eastern European Accession countries, namely Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Anatolian Cultural Association   Launched to bring together people of Turkish and Kurdish backgrounds

Polso- Angielska Organizacja   Set up to assist the Polish Community

Black South West Network   The primary focus of the organisation is to facilitate access to information and to empower BME and marginal community organisations as leaders of social action.

CISCO Devon (Crediton International Social and Cultural Organisation)

Cultural Champions   A Cultural Champion is a Devon resident from another culture or religion who comes into the classroom, workplace or community to give pupils an authentic personal view of their culture.

Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support (DCRS)   Asylum seekers and refugees encounter a wide range of problems both during and after the processing of their asylum claim. At DCRS specialist advisors provide assistance with issues surrounding housing, financial support, legal services, health, education, cultural and sporting activities.

Devon United Women  Works to empower women, especially those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Equality South West (ESW)   We are dedicated to promoting equality and diversity throughout the South West of England.  We are working with partners to tackle discrimination on the grounds of: age, disability, gender re‑assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau Migrant Worker Advice Project     Help Migrant Workers: Information developed under our Migrant Workers advice project is available in a number of languages.  

Exeter Hindu Temple Cultural & Community Centre

Fata He   FATA HE is a West African word which means ‘Inclusion’ and was established in 2001 to redress social and economic inequalities relating to Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) individuals, families and groups within the city of Plymouth.  Since becoming incorporated as a Limited Company (Social Enterprise) in 2003, Fata He has become an umbrella organisation for other BME individuals and groups, and works closely with other local, sub-regional and regional organisations.

Global Centre              Works with people of all ages and backgrounds and from all parts of Devon to enable them to bring about positive change, justice and sustainability. 

 Hikmat Centre      Hikmat Devon is a Community Interest Company, our work supports families and individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds. We are part funded by Devon County Council.

Imagine           Offers BME communities a chance to socialise.  Supported by Torbay Council

Islamic Centre of the South West        The Exeter Mosque and Islamic Centre of the South West. 

MOSAIC                       Mosaic is a national project, led by the Campaign for National Parks, that aims to build sustainable links between BME communities and ten of the National Parks in England and Youth Hostels Association.

Multilingua Devon       We are Devon's countywide agency for face-to-face interpreting and translation services.  We are supported by Devon County Council.

The Olive Tree Association   The association set up English classes at Exeter Mosque for BME communities in Devon.  We are supported by Devon County Council.

One World Clubs   The social clubs operate in secondary and primary schools in Exeter, Exmouth, Newton Abbot and Paignton. Facilities provided free by Devon County Council.

Planet Rainbow   Aims to provide support for mixed heritage and BME families. Funded by both Exeter City Council and Devon County Council.

Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council   PDREC is dedicated to the promotion of racial equality for all.  Supported by Devon County Council.

Polish Saturday School in Exeter        The school follows a curriculum provided by the Polish Education Society.  Facilities at Montgomery Primary School, Exeter are provided free of charge.

Refugee Action Plymouth   The voices of refugees living in Plymouth are at the centre of a new awareness raising initiative aimed at improving community relations in the city.  Refugee Action receives funding from the Home Office.

Refugees First              Provides support and advice for asylum seekers and refugees.  Supported by Plymouth City Council.

Refugee Housing Support Service - START and PATH             Students and Refugees Together (START) and  Plymouth Access To Housing (PATH) are independent homelessness charities which were set up to help deal with the growing concerns about levels of homelessness in the city.  Supported by Plymouth City Council.

Refugee Support Group Devon                        Promotes the well being of all asylum seekers and refugees in Devon and to assist them in making informed choices about adapting to life in the UK. Supported by Devon County Council.

 Rejuve-Nation   Has been set up to support the BME communities in Exeter.  Financed by the Big Lottery Fund.

The Rural Racism Project        Provides anti-racist and hate-crime training.  Lottery Funded.

Sahara BME Mentoring Programme    Assists BME immigrants to access local services and facilities.  Devon County Council funded.

This list of organizations does not cover all of the various voluntary associations included within the Safer Devon Partnership booklet.  

What is of most concern is that all of these organisations are either:

·        Directly funded by the tax-payer.  All County, City and District Councils throughout England employ staff directly from tax-payer funds to support immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other non-Britons in their quest to gain citizenship, housing, healthcare, and other welfare benefits including legal aid.  There are certainly over 100 fully paid staff members employed by the various councils throughout Devon; and these employees contribute nothing that benefits the local indigenous population.   Furthermore, many of these organizations receive funds directly from the various councils to promote their activities; which is done without the consent of the local tax-payers.

·        Indirectly tax-payer funded.  Many of these immigrant organizations are indirectly funded by the tax-payer, as they are given the free use of rooms and other facilities in government or council controlled premises.  It is the local councils and other state organizations that pay for translation services should the need arise – the immigrant gets all this free at the tax-payers expense.

·        Quasi-government funded.  Quasi-government funding can be defined as Lottery Funding, or charitable status.  Many of these immigration organizations exploit the indigenous population by applying to the Lottery Fund for sponsorship.  The management of the Lottery Fund is full of politically‑correct liberal bigots who are only too willing to assist worthless immigrant organizations, yet at the same time virtually ignore worthwhile schemes that enhance the heritage and culture of the indigenous population.  Charitable status is another ploy used to gain financial advantage that is often denied to indigenous organizations.

In Section 2 of the Safer Devon Partnership booklet it goes on to list:

Statutory Services, Specialist Services and Themes

Community Safety Partnerships          These partnerships take responsibility for a range of community safety issues, including Hate and Prejudice Crime and Domestic Violence.

Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Diverse Communities Team             Our main area of focus is Hate Crime.  Hate Crime is ANY OFFENCE committed against a person or person’s property that is motivated by the offender’s hatred of people because they seem to be different. 

Devon SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education)    An advisory group that consists of representatives from the CofE, Methodist, RC, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Islamic traditions.

Devon BME Domestic Violence Action Group              Tasked with implementing an action plan to address issues around BME communities accessing Domestic Violence support services.

NRPF (No recourse to public funds)     Devon’s emergency fund to help people trapped in violent relationships with no recourse to public funds; such as asylum seekers, people on temporary work permits or foreign students.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)        Provides English classes for immigrants and migrant workers with fees being subsidized by the governments; those on benefit get free lessons.

Ethnic Minority Achievement Service              Employs specialist advisory teachers and higher level teaching assistants to work with BME children in schools across Devon.

Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council                         Gypsies and travellers specialist services available in Devon. 

Devon Consortium Traveller Education Service          Provides educational support to travellers children.

Hate Crime Prevention Task Group     Promotes inter-cultural respect and community cohesion.

NHS Devon and Torbay Care Trust BME Mental Health and Well-being Team            Employs a team of 8 Community Development Workers to deliver race equality in mental health services across Devon.

Legal Services             For specialist advice and support with legal issues, particularly in relation to immigration status and employment. Companies of solicitors included on the approved Devon list are: Devon Law Centre; Employment Tribunal Advocacy Services; Stephen Scown Solicitors.

 

All of the organizations listed above are directly funded by the tax-payer, with Council employees working for, or with, these Statutory Service providers.  The solicitors clearly exploit these organizations to further their own business interest at tax-payers expense; through a legal aid scheme that does not discriminate between tax-paying indigenous folk and benefit scrounging immigrants. 

Section 3, and the final part of the Safer Devon Partnership booklet details:     

Forums, Task Groups and Cross-cutting Themes

Devon Faith and Belief Forum (DFBF)             It seeks to enhance involvement of communities with greater participation in civic life and belief groups with other organizations.

Exeter Interfaith Group            The group sees a primary role as educating one another about respective beliefs and customs but also in spreading the message of the value of interfaith dialogue as a resource for community cohesion by organizing and participating in events with a wider public focus.

Exeter Racist Incidents Action Group (ERIAG)             It works to monitor and tackle racist crime in the Exeter Area.

Exeter Respect Festival           The city’s annual celebration of diversity using performing and creative arts and other activities to promote multi-cultural understanding and say no to racism and all forms of prejudice.

Equality Strategy and Scrutiny Group (ESSG)             It is currently focused on improving the delivery of local area agreement work programmes and ensuring equality is at the heart.

Fawcett Devon             It works hard to promote gender equality.

The Intercom Trust      Intercom provides services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people across the South West.

Migrant Workers Task Group (MWTG)                          Established with financial support from Devon County Council to assist Migrant Workers to access local services.

North Devon and Torridge Diversity Group      Set up to advise on matters relating to equality and diversity.

South West Religion & Belief Equality Network           A registered charity and England’s first regional equality and diversity body.

All of these Forums, Groups and Themes, if not directly funded by the tax-payer, receive active support from the government and local councils.  These organizations may only be receiving nominal funding from the public purse; but what is not clear is the amount of time and effort that public employees expend on these activities.

To find out people’s views on this topic I showed friends and acquaintances a copy of the Safer Devon Partnership booklet, and sought their views by posing the questions:

Is this list of organizations truly representative of Devon people?

Most people I spoke to feel it in no way represents Devon folk.  In fact it was felt that it promotes ethnic minority culture and interests to the detriment of indigenous values. 

Furthermore, it was felt that these organizations did not promote integration, but merely encouraged immigrants to retain their own culture and values with the indigenous population expected to modify their culture and behaviour to suit the immigrant communities.  The Safer Devon Partnership was viewed as promoting segregation instead of integration.

Does Safer Devon Partnership achieve anything useful?

It was felt that the Safer Devon Partnership had a negative effect on society as it encouraged immigrants to retain their own cultural identity, and to play the race-card if they have any grievance.  

If the indigenous population are not represented; then could the Safer Devon Partnership be deemed a racist organization?

It was noted that apart from gypsies and single mothers there were no other organizations within the Safer Devon Partnership that represented the values, culture, interests and aspirations of the indigenous Anglo-Celtic peoples.  The consensus was that the Safer Devon Partnership was indeed a covert racist organization set up to empower the immigrant communities at the expense of indigenous traditions, morals and cultural values. 

 This then begged the question: 

Should these organizations be receiving tax-payer funding?

The general feeling was that too much of tax-payers money is squandered on programmes that benefit immigrants who make little or no contribution to society; yet the indigenous population were expected to pay for these programmes even though they didn’t benefit from them.

Clearly, the next question had to be: 

Should local tax-payers be paying for these employees, and can they be dispensed with?

The general response was that all tax-payer funded employees associated with these activities should be immediately dismissed, and the Safer Devon Partnership and all associated groups should be disbanded.  Why should immigrants get special tax-payer funded treatment when indigenous folk are expected to pay for any specialist service they may require.  Immigrants should be treated just like the rest of us, and should be made to pay their own way.

One person went so far as to say that these employees are parasites leeching off the already over-burdened indigenous tax-payer, while most immigrants don’t pay tax.

Who gains from the Safer Devon Partnership?

Apart from the immigrants themselves, it was pointed out that in the Safer Devon Partnership booklet three companies of solicitors are mentioned that specialize in: Immigration Accreditation Scheme; Asylum Accreditation Scheme; Nationality & Citizenship; Appealing Removal and Deportation; Human Rights; Legal Aid.  So clearly the real winners are the immigrants, lawyers and associated employees.

  

It is noted that various companies of solicitors are listed in the Directory; a clear indication that they are touting for tax-payer funded business to further the promotion of real, or imagined, race-hate crimes.  It is outrageous that scarce tax-payer funded resources can be squandered on pointless politically-correct initiatives, merely to appease the demands of the already empowered BME communities.  All this pandering to the immigrant’s demands does nothing to assist them to integrate into British society: in fact it has the complete opposite effect of segregating them into their separate communities. 

One way to speed immigrant’s integration into the British way of life would be to remove all government published multi-language literature and free translation services – if immigrants had to pay for these services, then they would soon learn to speak English and fend for themselves.  Organizations like the Safer Devon Partnership do nothing to speed up the process of integrating immigrants into our society, it merely encourages them to become welfare dependant trapped within their own ghettos so retaining their own cultural identity, and to play the race-card if they have any grievance.  

Safer from whom?

The Safer Devon Partnership indicates that immigrants and ethnic minorities are in constant danger from the indigenous population; and it clearly implies that the white Britons are thugs and villains who despise immigrants and will do everything they can to destroy and discredit them.  By implying that immigrants need protection from the indigenous population is a Hate Crime, and as such the Safer Devon Partnership can be deemed a racist organization.