'Racist' thefts played down (From Chard & Ilminster News)

'Racist' thefts played down

8:29am Saturday 23rd December 2006 in Chard By News reporter

FEARS that Portuguese motorists may have been targeted by racist car thieves in Chard have been played down this week.

Last week, the News reported how Luis Carvalho, of HR Select Café in Fore Street, claimed three cars had been taken from Portuguese motorists in the last month. He also claimed racism was a factor.

But this week, police and members of the Portuguese community have countered the claims.

Vlademeiro Rocas, of the Chard-based Somerset Portuguese Association, said: "If someone steals a car from someone in the Portuguese society, does it mean it's a racist act? No, it doesn't.

"They are a crime victim like everyone else. I don't think it was the Portuguese being targeted because they are Portuguese.

"This is something for the police and they are doing their job.

"It is very important that Portuguese people are members of this community and we want to be included as part of Chard, not apart, so we cannot go and blame the community.

"I can see a very good relationship now between the two communities - it's a healthy place to live whether you are British or Portuguese, and these claims can wound that relationship."

Sgt Andy Kingston, of Chard police, said: "We have only had two vehicles reported stolen since the beginning of September.

"There is no suggestion from the information that we have that either were aggravated by racial factors.

"However, it's important that if someone believes that it is racially aggravated, that they report it to the police so we can investigate it.

"If anyone wants to speak to me at Chard police station, please feel free to do so."

You can contact Chard police station on 0845-4567000.