In Britain, a Divide Over Racial Profiling

Some Londoners were not aware that a record number of police officers -- who once upon a time were famed for not being armed -- are now packing guns. According to the most recent figures, about 2,100 officers in London are licensed and trained in using submachine guns and pistols.

London has experienced terrorism before -- notably during a bombing campaign by the Irish Republican Army from the 1970s to the 1990s.

Chris Mullen, a Labor Party member of Parliament who until recently had a residence in south London, was a crusading author whose research in the 1980s helped free a half-dozen Irishmen wrongly accused of terrorist bombings in mainland Britain. Today, he says the threat is different: Irish terrorists often gave warnings before their attacks and never engaged in suicide missions.

Still, Mullen called last week's killing "a reminder that we have to tread very carefully. We have to bear in mind in giving extra powers to police that they do have a history of making mistakes."

Andrew Silke, a psychologist at the University of East London who has studied terrorism in Northern Ireland and the United States, said the public generally supports a harder line after terrorist attacks. "If you're a government, the most popular thing you can do is go out and kill terrorists," he said. "Most people will regard this death as a tragedy, but they'll be understanding and appreciative of what the police are trying to do."

Ian Blair and other top police officials have met repeatedly with Muslim leaders in recent days to explain the policy and plead for community support, which they say they must have to catch the would-be bombers, all of whom are believed to be Muslims. But many prominent Muslims warn that the shoot-to-kill policy could alienate the very people whose support the police need -- young Muslims.

"This is an Israeli model and it's a very dangerous model for London," said Ahmed Versi, editor of the weekly Muslim News newspaper. "We're getting many e-mails from young people who are worried. This is creating fear, and it is not helping the police."

Racial profiling by police has been a controversial issue here for decades. Under Britain's broad anti-terrorism laws, police can be granted "stop-and-search" powers to question anyone and, if they deem necessary, conduct a body search. Teams of officers can be seen at transit stations throughout the city scanning passengers. When finished questioning someone, they write out a form for the person that explains the reason for the stop and gives the shoulder badge number of the officer, in case the person wants to file a complaint.

Government statistics released last year showed that blacks were eight times more likely and Asians five times more likely to be stopped and searched by police than whites. Police officials have insisted they are doing all they can to curb profiling.

But young people at London's sprawling Victoria train station said Tuesday afternoon that they experience a different reality. "I don't run for a train or a bus anymore," said Chris Murray, 29, a drug counselor and youth worker. "I think for Asians in general, it's dangerous. I'm Asian, but I'm a Catholic and I was born in Britain. You find yourself feeling defensive in the train, people checking you out."

"I had a blue Nike bag I used to use, and I changed to a black Nike bag now because they were all blue," he said, referring to the bags used by the suspects in last week's abortive bombings.

Henry, the black airline employee, who was waiting for a train with friend Germaine Ghent, said that at times she wants to lash out at Pakistanis and Muslims in general. "In a way, I'm so angry that I feel like everybody of that race and gender should be rounded up and shipped back home, but then I realize that's wrong and innocent people would be caught up in it," she said.

As she was speaking, police officers a few yards away stopped a slightly built young Indian man in a blue suit and tie. Bystanders watched as they rifled through his two shopping bags and checked the red-and-white sport bag slung across his back. Police asked him to stretch out his arms, and he obliged while they publicly frisked him.

"That's so humiliating," said Ghent, who also is black. "I feel sorry for him."

The police officers handed the man a report written on a pad, and one of them bid him a polite farewell loud enough for bystanders to hear: "Have a safe day. Nice meeting you. All the best. Take care."

The man nodded and hurried for the subway.