Justice4Paps campaigners said there is “underlying discontent” with policing in High Wycombe as officers increase patrols in the areas most severely hit by the spate of car vandalism, which has exceeded 200.
The group, which was set up following the death of Habib “Paps” Ullah, who died in police custody, are calling for increased engagement with Thames Valley Police in the community, adding that the amount of vandalism in the town over the past few weeks has resulted in “considerable damage” to their campaign.
Thames Valley Police have upped their patrols in the areas most affected by the vandalism – particularly Cressex and Booker.
Following a month-long inquest into Mr Ullah’s death, the jury returned a verdict of misadventure with a narrative attached, despite an option of “unlawful killing” being made available.
Outside the courthouse, Justice4paps campaigners chanted “No Justice, No Peace”.
Justice4Paps outside Buckinghamshire Coroners’ Court after the inquest resulted was announced.
The next night saw the first attacks on vehicles, with vandals smashing windows and spraying “NJNP” – believed to stand for “No Justice, No Peace” on cars.
Although consecutive nights saw more examples of “NJNP” graffiti, Thames Valley Police confirmed that more than two weeks have passed without the letters being sprayed on the damaged vehicles.
Justice4Paps said they do not support the vandalism and Thames Valley Police concurred they know the group does “promote a peaceful campaign”.
In a statement released by Justice4Paps, Saqib Deshmukh said: “The last few... weeks have done considerable damage to the campaign that has been conducted in a considered and positive way for almost seven years.
“These incidents and the management of the reaction have undermined us a great deal. They have effectively shifted... the focus away from the actions of the police and the misconduct evidenced at the inquest.
“By not acting to hold more meetings and holding officers to account they have inflamed an already tense situation and turned the public in the town against us.
“The recent photo opportunity with the mounted units seems to be more about restoring public confidence in Thames Valley Police after serious criticism was raised at recent inquest than providing actual assurance and safety.
“Crucially what hasn’t been addressed in young people and in key communities is the underlying discontent with policing in the town, and further demonstrates the disconnect that exists between some young people and civil society structures.”
Officers from Thames Valley Police's mounted unit patrol the area.
Justice4Paps said they have requested a public meeting to be held with police and criticised the force’s use of engagement with the media.
Justice4Paps added: “It is our view that these incidents have been seemingly allowed to escalate and that damaging remarks being made both online and by police officers and so called ‘community leaders’ are going unchallenged.
“In particular the role of social media and local press has further acted as a provocation and could have resulted in more incidents occurring.”
When asked for clarification about the local and social media’s “provocation”, Mr Deshmukh said it was the comments on articles and Facebook that were “incendiary”.
The Bucks Free Press has made it clear that comments are not allowed on articles that involve active police proceedings, due to contempt laws.
Justice4Paps has been advised that the BFP runs an unmoderated website and if anyone has any concerns over specific comments, a complaint should be lodged via the website.
Justice4Paps said: “The fact that in the last few weeks there is no longer any graffiti is hugely significant and further suggests that these are copycat actions.
“In the meantime the police have used this as an excuse to step up patrols in the Castlefield area targeted solely at Asian young men ignoring the fact that incidents have taken place in other areas of the town and involve perpetrators from a range of backgrounds.
“The use of mounted patrols on Castlefield has not been helpful and using these to ‘rush’ young men in the park based on spurious phone calls is very concerning.”
To view the BFP’s comments policy, click here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article