'Prejudice against travellers is still shocking'

Martin Rone-Clarke's job is to break down barriers between Warwickshire Police and travelling communities

"Prejudice against Gypsies and travellers is one of the last bastions of racism that is still widely acceptable within society," says Martin Rone-Clarke.

His job is to "break down barriers" between Gypsy, Roma and traveller communities and Warwickshire Police - and he says he is passionate about challenging prejudice.

"It is encouraging to see the significant changes in [police] engagement," he said.

He is urging people to "come and say hello" to members of travelling communities during roadshows in Warwickshire and the West Midlands later this month.

Mr Rone-Clarke said he became fascinated with the history and culture of travellers' ways of life while working as a community cohesion officer two decades ago.

He took up the liaison job five years ago, after retiring from his 29-year career as a police officer with the Warwickshire force.

"It is still somehow widely acceptable to use derogatory language against Gypsies and travellers which is shocking," he says.

"I am proud to be one of few Gorgers (non-travellers) who are members of the Gypsy, Roma Traveller Police Association."

He said, at the start of his career, he had no training to educate him on "the reality of who Gypsies and travellers are".

"Like the majority of the general public, I only saw the negatives," he said.

Meeting members of the community changed his view and deepened his understanding, he explained, since he had never previously spoken to individuals other than when carrying out enforcement.

"I never got to share a cup of tea in a spotless caravan," he said.

"I had no idea that so many have to mask their ethnicity in order to succeed and avoid persecution.

"If I had the knowledge and understanding that I now have, my perception and response would have been very different."

Warwickshire Police has changed the way it liaises with Gypsy, Roma and traveller communities, Mr Rone-Clarke says

He said officers were now encouraged "to look at things differently, to go on to sites and engage with the community".

"I am pleased that in Warwickshire we are seeing some of those changes take place," Mr Rone-Clarke added.

He said levels of crime and antisocial behaviour were "no different within the Gypsy, Roma traveller communities than any other community".

He added: "I'm often asked, 'how do we engage with Gypsies and Travellers?' My answer is always, go and speak with them - bring an open mind, and take it from there."

The roadshows are happening n Walsall, Rugby, Warwick, Bedworth, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon and Bidford-on-Avon between 16-27 June.