Race and sex discrimination were the first two equality ‘strands’ to be made unlawful, in the mid-1970s. ‘Race’ refers to black and other minority ethnic (BMOE) groups who are defined by their race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origins.
According to the 2011 Census, the population of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is 96.0% white. BMOE people constitute 8.6% of Telford & Wrekin’s population, and just over 2% of Shropshire’s.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has a legal duty to promote race relations under the general and Public Sector duties of the Equality Act 2010. We have always been committed to improving internal and external race relations for many years before this, with our first Race Equality Scheme being prepared 2002.
Our Single Equality Scheme and Action Plan contains plans to develop our work to encourage recruitment of people from BMOE communities, and we have strong links with anti-racist and multicultural groups, initiatives and events across the area.
Useful links
Fairness, Respect, Equality Shropshire (FRESh) (link to [URL TBA), and Respect and Fairness Telford (RAFT) are both independent equality and diversity advisory, support and monitoring organisations for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin respectively. Both have wide experience of working with BMOE groups and individuals in their areas.
Shrewsbury Action Against Racism (SAAR) (contact steve.cunningham@shropshire.gov.uk) was set up in 2005 in response to a spate of racist incidents and graffiti in parts of Shrewsbury, with the aim of taking action to reduce racist and xenophobic incidents in and around Shrewsbury.
SAAR runs the annual Cultural Diversity Day in the Square in Shrewsbury, co-ordinates work on the ‘Kick It Out’ football campaign, organises events to celebrate Black History Month and engages in other local events and campaigns. It also runs training and educational events, and shares and analyse information about racist incidents and crimes in the Shrewsbury area.
