UK to curb hate crimes

AGGRESSION against asian shops on a rise

LONDON: With increasing number of Asian corner shops being targeted by criminals in the country, the British Government has said that it will crack down on perpetrators of crime against businesses owned by migrant communities.

“This Government is strongly committed to put down hate crimes and harassments of small businesses in all its form,” Secretary of State for Business Lord Mandelson said.
“The Government is committed that the perpetrators of crime are brought to justice,” he said, while addressing AsianTrader Awards 2008 on Tuesday.

He was responding to references made by Kalpesh R Solanki, Group managing Editor, Asian Media and Marketing Group, to the continuing attacks on Asian corner shops by criminals.

Referring to the current financial crisis, the Secretary of State for Business said “We would do all we can to help small businesses to survive and grow.” “We want the UK to be world’s Number 1 place for enterprise and business,” he said. Indian High Commissioner to UK Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, Labour MP Virendra Sharma, Dr Rami Ranger, MBE, NRI Entrepreneur were also present on the occasion.

Mukherjee appreciated the assurances given by Mandelson to the small businesses. Paying tributes to the Indian and Asian community for their achievements, Mukherjee said “We are proud of your achievements.” Referring to the forthcoming G20 Summit in Washington, he said it was important to create a system for taking care of the interests
of small businesses, particularly in developing countries.