Exclusive: ‘Racial Recognition Zone’ sign fake, says Met Police
A disturbing sign "falsely" branded with the Metropolitan Police logo has been spotted in central London - but the force told Black Current News that it’s a hoax.
A sign marked “Racial Recognition Zone” and bearing the Metropolitan Police logo was spotted today at 5.30 pm on the corner of Regent Street and Little Portland Street in Central London, near the BBC.
The sign claimed that “people from ethnic and racial minorities are elligable for an arbitrary stop and search”, Black Current News can confirm.
It has raised alarm in London, a city where facial recognition trials have been rolled out.
However, the Metropolitan Police said the sign is not genuine.
“This is not a real Met Police sign. We’ll raise this with operational colleagues - thanks for making us aware,” a spokesperson told Black Current News.
The “fake” notice, which included a typo (“elligable”) and the slogan “Surveilling London”, appears to mimic the look of official Met signage and could be intended to stir fear among London’s Black and ethnic minority residents.
At this stage, the force has not confirmed whether officers have attended the site to remove the sign or if any formal investigation has been launched.
The appearance of the “hoax” comes at a time of heightened concern about the Met’s relationship with Black and Asian communities, following a series of racism and misconduct scandals within and around the force.
It also coincides with growing racial tensions, a rise in far-right activity and an upsurge in hate crime attacks across the UK, fuelling public anxiety about discrimination and policing.
Black Current News has contacted the Met for further comment on whether officers are investigating who placed the sign and how it was produced.
Editor’s note: If you see similar signs or incidents, please contact the Black Current News team at admin@blackcurrentnews.co.uk. Follow us for updates as this story develops.