A new offence of "Travelling Whilst Asian"

1.40.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Aug 2006

Chief Superintendent Ali Desai suggests that the Government appears to be looking into creating a new offence of "Travelling Whilst Asian". The Department of Transport are looking at introducing profiling people for singling out people for security checks at airports. This will typically result in more Asians and black people being stopped. There is no such thing as identikit terrorists and if someone wants to be a terrorist they will not stop at trying to disguise themselves.

Even if they are just looking to stop Muslims how will they tell, not all Muslims are Asian, a previous terrorist who was Muslim was black and there are many white Muslims. Security officials will end up just stopping people who look Asian, including Sikhs and Hindus as well as Muslims.

Remember when the Home Office admitted that the introduction of Identity Cards would result in more Black and Asian people being stopped and searched, well they seem determined to ensure all Black and Asian people are considered criminals and terrorists.