RESTRICTED ACPO NATIONAL POLICE WORKING GROUP ‐ DRUGS PROHIBITION OF KHAT AS CLASS C DRUG ‐ ACPO NATIONAL COMMUNITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT – SEPTEMBER 2013 EXPERIENCED – HOW DO COMMUNITIES FEEL? 1. Briefly describe the demographic profile and locations within your policing area of East African or other communities potentially affected by this change in legislation. Up to 400,000 Somalis and 300,000 Kenyans living in UK Somali residents – estimates from Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures for 2011 and press statements quoting community representatives Kenyan residents ‐ referring to statements by Kenyan High Commissioner and community groups back to 2010 Metropolitan Police Service Community Tension Assessment, July 2013. Strong clan bonds among Somalis reflected in concentrations in specific localities, with highest Metropolitan Police Service Community Tension concentrations in Boroughs of Brent, Newham, Haringey and Enfield Assessment, July 2013 According to ONS data, effected communities are present in most areas of London with the Metropolitan Police Service Community Tension highest populations living in seven London Boroughs, notably Ealing, Harrow and Brent. Assessment, July 2013 Outside of London there are communities of several thousand Somalis in Bristol, Cardiff Bay, National Community Impact Assessment submissions, Leicester, Liverpool (Toxteth), Northampton, Manchester (south and Bolton) and Sheffield August 2013 Although Kent has only a small resident population of Somalis and affected communities, it is a Kent Police, August 2013 significant hub for the illegal export of Khat to Europe Page 1 of 11 RESTRICTED 2. Describe the level of engagement currently between the police and potentially affected communities? Police forces report good relations with elders and community leaders within the affected National Community Impact Assessment submissions, communities August 2013 In the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) area, five dedicated Community Engagement Workers Metropolitan Police Service response to ACPO (including one Somali) have close contacts with affected communities Community Tension Assessment, August 2013 Elsewhere engagement with the police includes via local Neighbourhood Teams, to membership National Community Impact Assessment submissions, of formal groups and Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs). Strong links also exist with dedicated August 2013 Prevent teams. A feeling of being targeted may make engagement more difficult at local level National Community Impact Assessment submissions, August 2013 Work of Prevent Teams may be more difficult National Community Impact Assessment, August 2013. South Wales and Grater Manchester Police Disaffected young male users may become further estranged from elders and police National Community Impact Assessment submissions, August 2013 Prohibition could also be divisive within some communities with pockets of high habitual usage National Community Impact Assessment submissions, August 2013 Page 2 of 11 RESTRICTED 3. Describe any local reaction to the announcement of government intentions from communities or their representatives either formally or informally? Prohibition largely supported by elders, women and conservative Mosques (khat is National Community Impact Assessment submissions, August 2013 ‘Haram’, untouchable) In some areas an existing ‘anti‐khat’ lobby within affected communities may be expected Avon & Somerset Constabulary, August 2013 to support prohibition Representatives of affected communities believe immediate prohibition is unlikely to National Community Impact Assessment submissions, August 2013 change the demand (among habitual users) Some significant concerns among users (feeling victimised, concern over increased cost) National Community Impact Assessment submissions, August 2013 Potential for peaceful public protest in London and several communities in larger Metropolitan Police Service, Merseyside Police, August 2013 provincial cities /towns There may be limited representation direct to local MPs by khat users concerned by Northamptonshire Police, August 2013 possible prohibition In early 2012 the London Borough of Hounslow supported an e‐petition by Somali Metropolitan Police Service briefing paper, May 2012 communities against khat. This followed a small, peaceful demonstration near Parliament. Reportedly, the majority of participants were female 4. Describe any views that have been voiced about this issue through the media or social media? National press coverage has been relatively low key following the Home Secretary’s National Community Impact Assessment submissions, August 2013 announcement to go against the ACMD advice. Somali community divided over criminalisation of khat. “Herbal high is blamed for family Financial Times 7th September 2013 breakdown but users claim it is harmless”, writes Barney Thompson. Police forces (other than the Metropolitan Police Service) have observed little or no National Community Impact Assessment submissions, August 2013 coverage of announcement by local press, although articles to date have largely supported prohibition Adbi Saleiman, from The Moss Side Somali charity Educate 4 Life said “I think this is great Manchester Evening News, 7th July 13 news. It is having a negative impact in Manchester’s Somali and Yemeni communities. Greater Manchester Police , August 2013 Although the number of users is not huge, it is extremely addictive and has a bad effect on the whole community. “I am very glad the government have changed their minds on this.” A bundle of khat can be bought for just £3. ************************************************************************** ******************************************************** ************************************************************************** ******************************************************** Page 3 of 11 RESTRICTED 5. Is there any concern that the change in legislation will impact on local businesses serving these communities? In 2011‐12 about 2,500 tonnes of khat with an import value of £13.8m arrived in the UK. ACMD Report 2013 Mr Mahamed supplies mafrishes as far afield as Glasgow, Cardiff and Birmingham – wherever Financial Times 7th September 2013 there are Yemeni, Somali and Ethiopian communities. “I have not committed any crime. I am trying to bring money to the government,” says Mr Mohamed waving a VAT receipt for £132,000 in a single month. “I employ 12 people. I pay corporation tax and NI contributions. A lot of people will be affected by a ban.” The 2011 Home Office report ‘Khat: Social harms and legislation. A literature review’ also Metropolitan Police Service Community Tension concluded that legislating against khat in Europe and North America has had “little success in Assessment, July 2013 curbing demand.” Community representatives in Greater Manchester have openly expressed concern to the police Greater Manchester Police, August 2013 about the impact of prohibition on known traders and local cafes that rely on khat use, while recognising the wider community benefits Other police forces report little evidence that prohibition will impact established local businesses National Community Impact Assessment submissions, within affected communities August 2013 Currently 95% of khat imported legally is by Kenya Airways via Heathrow Metropolitan Police Service, SO15 Prevent Action briefing, Haringey, August 2013 The impact of prohibition is being assessed by the London Boroughs of Ealing and Hayes (which Metropolitan Police Service, August 2013 includes Heathrow) Primary source of distribution is via known locations in the Borough of Southall, London, where National Community Impact Assessment submissions, VAT is paid on the Khat purchased for onward circulation August 2013 A number of known distributors which currently transport khat legally out of Heathrow would be Metropolitan Police Service Community Tension affected Assessment, July 2013 Page 4 of 11 RESTRICTED 6. Based on the information above please score your communities on the below matrix ( Appendix A) Only the Metropolitan Police Service assesses the impact on communities as Moderate (Low) Five police forces assess the impact on communities as Above Normal Greater Manchester Police, Leicestershire Greater Manchester Police, Leicestershire Constabulary, Northamptonshire Police, South Constabulary, Northamptonshire Police, South Yorkshire Police and Thames Valley Police (in Milton Keynes, where there is over‐whelming Yorkshire Police and Thames Valley Police , August support among affected communities) 2013 Six forces assess the impact on communities as Normal Avon & Somerset Constabulary, Bedfordshire Police, Avon & Somerset Constabulary, Bedfordshire Police, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Merseyside Hertfordshire Constabulary, Merseyside Police, South Police, South Wales Police and West Midlands Police Wales Police and West Midlands Police, August 2013 The overall National Assessment in relation to:‐ EXPERIENCED – HOW DO COMMUNITIES FEEL? Is Above Normal whilst it is noted that for the Metropolitan Police Service there is a greater impact on their communities. Page 5 of 11 RESTRICTED EVIDENCED – WHAT DOES OUR INFORMATION TELL US IS HAPPENING? 7. What is the level of Khat use locally? Khat use in the UK is almost entirely limited to diaspora communities, primarily Ethiopians, 2013 Home Office report ‘Khat: Social harms and Kenyans, Somalis and Yemenis legislation. A literature review The most prevalent use is among Somalis, with community representatives suggesting rates