Bishop of Willesden runs Religion Awareness Seminar for Westminster Police

07/03/08

Questions about family cohesion, religious identity and equality under the law were just a few of the issues addressed by the Rt Revd Pete Broadbent at a religion awareness seminar for Metropolitan Police Officers.

Bishop Pete was speaking about Christianity and the Church of England as part of an ongoing initiative to help Westminster Police Officers better understand the concerns and needs of the borough’s diverse communities and particularly to help inform the way in which they interact with and respond to the needs of Christians. Subjects under discussion included the role of the Church of England in London, growing multi-culturalism, interfaith liaison, and working with local authorities and partners.

The event at St Mark’s Hamilton Terrace followed similar successful seminars about the Jewish and Islamic faiths when officers visited a synagogue and a mosque.

Police Community Support Officer Abby Mannan, who organised the event, said:

“These awareness days are about building trust and confidence with the communities we serve; they help us to understand the issues that concern them, which in turn enables us to respond better to their needs. Westminster is a hugely diverse borough, and the Christian community is an important part of that.”

The Bishop of Willesden, Pete Broadbent, said:

“It is essential that the police understand their communities, and that different communities work together to address the issues that concern all of us as Londoners. Safer Neighbourhood Teams have done a lot to bring local clergy and local bobbies together, and I am very pleased to help the police gain a greater understanding of the Christian faith and the Church of England.”