Ignoring The Evidence?

With reference to a previous post, this:

He said: “I believe they were targeting us specifically because we are Asian. They are professionals, definitely. The police think they were after cash and gold. These people know that Asians have gold and they’re using that to maximum advantage.”

He's not the only one to think this:

Coun Jabba Riaz, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities at Worcester City Council, warned all people to be vigilant, lock all doors and windows, install alarms and keep cash and jewellery in a safe or safety deposit box in the bank.

He said: “No one should have to be subjected to such disturbing attacks, but the sad reality is this will go on and on unless we personally take pro-active steps in tackling this, look out for your neighbours and report anything suspicious.

“Burglaries can happen to anyone. The value of gold and jewellery has risen recently and burglars have cottoned on to the fact that this specific community have a lot more gold and jewellery.”

Well,

Haris Saleem, president of the Muslim Welfare Association, said he knew of five or six burglaries of this type in the last few months on Asian households.

He said: “This is a problem for all communities but Asians are perceived as an easy target for burglars to go into the houses and find something – gold rings and earrings and bangles.”

However, the police seem to have learned that one can't jump to conclusion just because that's where all the evidence leads, even if some other officers did briefly let the cat out of the bag:

A police spokesman said: “We have been aware for some time now of concerns from members of the Asian community that they are being targeted for jewellery and cash.

"We have looked into this issue and can confirm that there is no evidence to support the claim that Asian households in Worcester are more likely to be burgled than the homes of any other ethnic group living in the city.

“The majority of burglaries are opportunistic and this would not take into account ethnic background."

But you've even had this direct from the horse's mouth!

H/T: Robert Hale via email