There is enormous stereotyping of gypsies in this country. One former police officer said to me, "I've never met an honest one!"This is certainly how gypsies are perceived by the general population and those views would add: they leave rubbish, they beg, they intimidate, they fail to educate their children, they are uncooperative with the society from which they extract as many benefits as possible. They do not hold down jobs, have lengthy criminal records and deliberately fail to integrate. They certainly pay NO taxes.
The question is whether the bulk of gypsies meet the description above or whether they are simply 'persecuted for being different'.
Nothing is ever simple. I think we need an honest assessment of the gypsy community today. A truly neutral investigation of the facts should be welcome to all who love truth. And if the negatives were to prove to be broadly accurate - then major targeting of gypsies by the authorities would clearly be necessary.
Currently, police are discouraged from active pursuit of dishonest and anti-social gypsies by the very same people who claim that 'racism lurks behind every corner'. They are not alone.
The taxation authorities are similarly restrained.
Problems are complex.
There are roughly three types of 'gypsy' to be found in the UK. These are the traditional gypsies - 'Romany' as they call themselves.
There are 'Irish tinkers' - often called 'travellers'.
And there is the new influx of Roma from Bulgaria and Rumania who come here because the EU says they can.
Any thorough investigation to see whether there is any positive contribution whatsoever from these three groups would have to be fully aware of the distinctions.
BUT ULTIMATELY, NOBODY MUST EVER BE ALLOWED TO BE BEYOND THE LAW.
