Brussels, 11/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - People from ethnic minorities are more likely to be stopped by police that people who belong to the majority population in EU member states, a report from the European Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) highlights on Monday 11 October. “This finding highlights the problem of potentially discriminatory ethnic profiling practices, which can be in conflict with laws relating to discrimination,” said FRA Director Morten Kjaerum, at the presentation of the findings of the very first EU-wide survey on police stops and minorities. Publication of the report coincides with a conference organised by the European Police College, CEPOL. The FRA surveyed 23,500 people from an ethnic minority or immigration background about their experiences of police stops, and, in 10 member states, interviews with the majority population were also carried out so that findings could be compared. Minority respondents were stopped more often than majority respondents, for example, on public transport or in the street. Some minority groups are particularly heavily policed. In Greece, for instance, Roma respondents who said they were stopped by the police experienced on average six police stops in a 12-month period, whereas majority population respondents experienced on average two police stops over the same period. Minority respondents were also more likely to have their identity papers inspected. For example, 90% of North Africans stopped by police in Italy were asked for their identity papers, compared with 48% of majority respondents. A decision to stop someone taken solely or mainly on the grounds of that person's race, ethnic origin or religion constitutes discriminatory ethnic profiling. Such practices serve to alienate certain communities within the EU and, in turn, can contribute to inefficient policing, the FRA says. “Discriminatory profiling has a damaging effect, as it may destroy minorities' trust in the police, and in pair treatment,” Kjaerum stated. Of the 27 member states of the EU, only the United Kingdom systematically gathers and publishes data on stops. These data include information on the ethnicity of those stopped. Thanks to these data, the police and local communities are informed of the situation on the ground and can identify policing practices that may be discriminatory. “It is our task to enhance the knowledge and the skills of Europe's future police officers and to help build confidence in policing with all parts of society. CEPOL and the Fundamental Rights Agency will work together to base police training on fundamental rights, and to move towards an effective and service-oriented police service across Europe for the 21st century,” said CEPOL Director Ferenc Bánfi. The findings of the FRA survey were presented at the same time as the FRA guide on discriminatory ethnic profiling. More information can be found at: http: //http://www.fra.europa.eu (B.C./transl.rt)