Low conviction rate for NI race attacks

The PSNI have revealed that they secured only seven convictions out of 189 reported racist attacks in the year up to March 2003.

Seven more cases are still under investigation or awaiting a decision to prosecute, and five cases were dealt with by way of advice and warning.

In the remaining 170 cases of attacks and 37 other racial incidents there was no further police action.

Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said the clearance rate was disappointing and unacceptable.

She said the Police Service was committed to making people who perpetrate racist attacks accountable to the law.