Kilmarnock takeaway supports cops’ anti-racism campaign.

Dec 11 2009 by Ian Russell, Kilmarnock Standard

OFF-LICENCES and takeaway outlets in Kilmarnock are playing the police anti-racism card.

Hot food premises and booze outlets around the town are ‘bagging’ the cops’ campaign by giving customers special No Place for Racism carrier bags when they make a purchase.

It was an increase in incidents at East Ayrshire’s off-licences and takeaways where staff suffered racial abuse or physical assaults which sparked the initiative.

Kebabish in Central Avenue, Shortlees, was one of the first to say ‘yes’ to the bags blitz, with the more bags dished hopefully resulting in a wider and successful campaign.

The carrier bags encourage users to abide by the law with the message ‘Get a takeaway, not locked away’.

Recent statistics on locally committed racist crime showed 75 per cent of offenders were male, aged between 13 and 47, and under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Said Chief Inspector Wilson Brown: “The purpose of this campaign is to raise awareness and change some people’s behaviour and attitudes. We want victims to feel more comfortable about coming forward and reporting incidents to the police, in the knowledge we will take their complaint seriously.

“Many of the problems happen when people have had a drink, so it’s great to have local takeaways and off-licences on board. Offenders need to know that being drunk is no excuse for committing racist crime, which can have a devastating effect on the lives of victims.”

The new campaign is reinforcing police encouragement to members of East Ayrshire’s East Ayrshire’s ethnic minorities to come forward and report any incidents to their local police office.