CREDITON International Social and Cultural Organisation (CISCO) welcomed PCSO Melanie Smith from Devon and Cornwall Police Migrant Protection department to its recent meeting.

Melanie reported a serious increase of Hate Crime and racial abuse cases following the Brexit Referendum.

She assured migrant workers and the host community representatives, that the police are determined to do what it could to redress the situation.

She told the meeting about special programmes the government had set up to involve small and big businesses to stop any racial abuse in the workplace.

She showed members the posters and prospectuses proclaiming the ideas of the equality and harmony between nations.

The posters are to be exhibited at the premises which have signed for the Anti-Hate Crime movement.

Melanie listened to complaints about racial abuse and unfriendly behaviour in Crediton.

She reported about some cases that had already been solved with her involvement. She gave practical advice and registered details of the new cases she is going to follow up.

Melanie assured the members that there should be no changes in the rights of EU migrants until the final agreement is signed for Brexit.

She said any suggestion that EU identity documents would no longer be valid was totally wrong and must be reported as racial discrimination.

However she said it is not clear at the moment what agreement will be reached during Brexit negotiations and how it will affect the rights of EU migrants.

She said it looks like those who have lived in the UK for five or more years will have full residential rights if they can prove their lawful stay.

The question was raised about the valid document an EU citizen may be required to hold to cross the UK border after Brexit is finally declared.

It was noted that there were no particular ideas from the government about the format and application rules.

A CISCO member from Poland showed the meeting the Permanent Residence document she got from UK Home Office and advised about the way to get it.

It was suggested that it would be a good idea to apply for this document, which is available if you have lived in the UK for more than five years.

It was noted that there is another residential document available from the Home Office if you have lived in the UK for three years.

Both documents are available at a relatively low cost for EU migrants, but the application is time consuming (can take four to six months at the moment, but may be even slower when the demand increases).

Melanie suggested being in contact in case of any racial discrimination and Hate Crime report and having another meeting in six months if any new information on Brexit is available.

CISCO Advice Centre is prepared to give practical help with applications for residential permits for EU citizens.

Please contact Natalia Letch on 01363 775739 or 07455 824053. Follow CISCO at: www.Facebook.com/CISCOdevon .

Alan Quick