[Strictly Jake]

Yesterday I watched a video about the investigation into the Manchester attack.

In brief there had been many missed opportunities that the terrorist could have been stopped. A number of factors had been involved. Example the two police officers who were supposed to go on break for an hour took 2 hours etc. But one of the things that stood out to me was that the terrorist had a massive back pack and walked up to the arena foyer he stayed there for a while and was noticed by one of the security guys. After a while he goes back to the stairs to the train station. After another while he goes back into the arena foyer waiting in a place he knows there is no CCTV. He stays there with a massive backpack for an hour! A member of public tells security about this. Security tell the man they are aware. The security try to communicate to each other and try to radio over a message that isn't received. The security guy is afraid to report it as if he is wrong he might be branded as racist.

Youtube video

We all know what happens next

Today I had a staff training in one of the lecture theatres at work. It's called prevent training. We all have to have it when we work in the university and I'm sure many of you may have received a similar staff meeting

When it came to question and answer I put my hand up to talk about this

I thought it would be a good topic to discuss on here too

I said
"Do you find that people hold back from raising suspicions as it might be seen as racist as in the case of Manchester the security guard didn't do anything as he was worried about being seen as racist"

I don't know why but I was so breathless asking it as was worried to word it wrong so I felt a bit silly in front of around 40 staff members.

But basically the trainer said

"When cases are reported to them. They are only given a name so it's done on face value. It's confidential so you can't be accused of being racist. In the case of Manchester if you know deep down your not being racist then your working to save a life"

I don't think this is a clear enough answer though. In the days of people filming everything. Does racism accusation hold people back from taking action?

And before people say it I know radicalisation and terrorism and grooming etc comes in many different shapes and forms the training was excellent to be fair really interesting. We have been taught how to look for certain behaviours etc

But yeah being in a member of security's position would you act on suspicion or would you be afraid of being accused of being racist