Police take no action over leaflet blaming Muslims for Britain's 'heroin epidemic'

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Police are to take no action over leaflets sent to to homes accusing Muslims of being responsible for Britain's heroin epidemic.

The leaflet has been distributed to homes in Burnley - which suffered race riots in 2001 - and is also reportedly circulating in parts of Cumbria and Yorkshire.

It says people should "heap condemnation" on Muslims and it is time for them to "apologise" as it claims they are responsible for 95% of the world's heroin trade.

It also features a photo of Rachel Whitear, 21, who was found dead at her flat in Exmouth, Devon, in May 2000, holding a capped syringe.

The photo of Rachel made national headlines after her parents agreed for it to be released to warn other youngsters of the dangers of drugs.

The leaflets, which first appeared around March, are believed to have been made and distributed by an individual and not through a political party.

Burnley has a high proportion of Asian residents.

It currently also has four British National Party councillors sitting on the borough council.

A spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "We advised Lancashire Police that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute for offences of stirring up religious or racial hatred and that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute under the public order act, and we advised Lancashire Police if they come to us with more evidence we will review the case."

The National Association of Muslim Police (NAMP) have reportedly called for the CPS to take a stronger line over the issue.

They could not be contacted today.

Lancashire Police said it was "monitoring" the situation, adding that no one had been arrested.