Leading West Midlands Police officer tells of racist abuse outside The Hawthorns
A senior police officer and her daughter suffered a ‘humiliating’ racist attack in the street on their way to Albion’s first match of the season, it has emerged.
Detective Chief Inspector Karen Geddes quickly reported the incident and a man was arrested.
The officer, who is the crime manager at Wolverhampton Police and chair of the Black and Asian Police Association, tweeted ‘Great start to the season’ following the incident before Saturday’s game against Bolton Wanderers.
The police chief, who has served in West Midlands Police for more than 25 years, was walking to the Hawthorns with her daughter along Birmingham Road at around 1.50pm when a rival fan shouted “F*** off back home to Africa”.
Ms Geddes said her initial instinct was to shout back but her husband, who was a little ahead, heard what had happened and ran back and she then alerted colleagues.
A 22-year-old man, believed to be a Bolton fan, was arrested for racial abuse, and later released on bail pending further enquiries.
DCI Geddes, who is Black British of Jamaican descent, said she felt concerned for her daughter. The couple and their two children are all season ticket holders.
“We attended the first game of the season as a family when this happened and I felt angry, insulted, humiliated and isolated.
“My daughter was a star and very strong.
“Later she said ‘Why did he say that about Africa?’ I have tried to explain that he was a silly man who had said some naughty things and the police had arrested him.
“I have experienced racial abuse before but never in front of my daughter. I have been an officer for 26 years and feel I can look after myself and my family.
“However I felt so defenceless in that moment and was so happy to see the officers otherwise he would have just walked away, laughing, to watch the game.”
Bolton Wanderers spokesman Paul Holliday said: “The club completely and unequivocally condemns any racist behaviour.”
