Nine-strong team in Page Hall, Sheffield, have been enrolled in Roma lessons. Comes after widespread violence in district influx of European immigrants. Last month, MP David Blunkett called for tough police action to avoid riots.
Police have been taught to speak Roma in a bid to control tensions in a community flooded by thousands of Eastern European migrants.
Page Hall in Sheffield has been the scene of violent clashes between rival groups of immigrants and locals for months.
Last month, former Home Secretary David Blunkett called for urgent and tough police action in the borough – part of his constituency – to avoid riots.
Now, a nine-strong team of officers has been enrolled in Roma lessons in the first of many integration measures.
In a bespoke five-week language learning camp, the team went through basic phrases, verb conjugations, and key vocabulary.
They also covered cultural references to help them connect with the district’s newer residents.
Operating from a new permanent base in the community, they will also be patrolling the streets seven days a week in a bid to engage with the community.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: ‘The community in Page Hall is made up of diverse residents, some of which do not speak English.
‘A key part of a police team’s job is to engage and work with the community it serves to discuss any concerns they have and to work with them to tackle any issues that arise.’
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