Dear Editor,
The unexpected result of the EU Referendum was that 51.9% of those who voted wanted the United Kingdom to leave the EU. As a result, overnight an estimated two trillion US dollars was wiped off markets around the world and the pound is at a 30-year low against the US dollar.
There is now, in the UK, political, economic and constitutional uncertainty as a result of the outcome of the referendum.
From a safety and security point of view, there is little, in my opinion, that will likely affect Brits living in Portugal. The situation in the UK, however, is rather different. Uncertainty can easily lead to instability and, unless the political leadership in both of the main parties is resolved quickly, and an early plan developed on how the UK will exit the EU, there is always the threat of increased political extremism.
It is a disturbing fact that in the UK, in 2015, there were 52,528 hate crimes recorded by the police, an increase of 18% compared with 2013/14. Alarmingly, 82% of these were of a racist nature.
Police believe there has been an increase in hate crimes and community tensions since last week’s referendum. Initial figures show an increase of 57% in reported incidents between Thursday and Sunday compared with the same days four weeks earlier.
Many of the alleged perpetrators cited the decision to leave the EU explicitly. It appears one of the main targets has been the Polish community, but there are reports in the media of Portuguese victims as well.
In terms of security and the UK’s dealings with the rest of Europe, Brexit means that it is unlikely that the UK can continue to be a member of Europol (the European police organisation) on the same terms as at present. Much of policing in EU countries nowadays is embedded in Europol, in particular the checks that police make daily against its databases. This relationship would need to be renegotiated.
Although some of the information exchange between police here in Portugal and the UK is through Europol, much of it is bilateral – between the two countries concerned. This is unlikely, in my view, to change.
It will be important, however, to ensure that existing mechanisms that can identify wanted persons and monitor those of security interest travelling between the UK and Portugal are retained or, if not possible, renegotiated.
Coupled with this, the European Arrest Warrant has, since 2004, resulted in over 1,000 suspects who have fled justice being apprehended overseas and returned to the UK. The UK would no longer be able to do this, which means that British criminals could remain at large in local communities overseas including Portugal. This would need to be renegotiated if possible – or achieved through alternative means such as Interpol.
The EU Referendum has now taken place and the result was not what everyone wanted. The UK government now needs to clarify its position on Brexit, move swiftly forward under sound leadership with an agreed plan, addressing the political, economic and constitutional issues that have arisen, as well as promoting greater tolerance and mending the divisions within the communities concerned.
David Thomas
President, Safe Communities Portugal
