For this year's GRT History Month, Grace Preston from the Traveller Movement writes for Clinks about the importance of centring Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities in discussions around racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

GRT History Month is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures and traditions of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities in Britain. There will be celebrations across the estate for prisoners and their families, some of which I will be attending on behalf of the Traveller Movement. The question is, how does the sector meaningfully mark GRT History Month? It is a time to take stock and look at how your organisation can work with the communities to tackle the disparities they face in the criminal justice system.

Can you have racial justice without Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller people?

Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller people experience the worst outcomes of any ethnic group in almost all areas; health, education and criminal justice. But when we speak about racial justice, we rarely centre these communities or their experiences. While it is true that the number of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller people in the UK is very small, you cannot meaningfully tackle racial injustice without improving the lives of these communities.

If the Government is serious about building a fairer and more equal society, it must centre the needs of the most marginalised groups when shaping its policies. That means listening to Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller communities, recognising their unique challenges, and ensuring they are not left behind in efforts to create lasting change.

Manchester and the persistent criminalisation of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities and their children

In November 2024 Greater Manchester Police blocked Romani Gypsies and Irish Traveller children from attending the Christmas markets. Footage posted to social media showed young people being herded on to trains at Manchester Victoria station, all on trains to unknown destinations. One child was left more than 100 miles away. This action by Greater Manchester Police was heavy handed and a blatant example of racial profiling, which treated these children as criminal simply for their ethnicity.

This is not an isolated incident but rather reflects a lived reality for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities. Their traditions, cultures and very existences are criminalised from a very young age.

I encourage the sector to use GRT History Month as a time to ask yourselves how you can do more to champion the voices of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller people and to centre their experiences in your fights to make the criminal justice system more equal for all.

If you want to learn more about our work at the Traveller Movement please look at our website.

Grace Preston

Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer, the Traveller Movement