A police force withdrew plans for a televised appeal to help catch an Afghan suspected of sexually assaulting women after a race watchdog warned that it might spark a violent backlash. Detectives were due to appear on an episode of ITV's Manhunt to ask for help finding Noorullah Seddiqi, 34. The Afghan had absconded from bail after being arrested in connection with the rape of one woman and the sexual assault of three others. Officers working on the case believed the appeal, due to be shown in May, could have proved vital in the search for Seddiqi. They thought he might be working as an unlicensed taxi driver in the south of England.
But the Chief Constable of the Devon and Cornwall force, Stephen Otter, told officers not to go ahead with the programme after the Devon Racial Equality Council, funded by and affiliated to the Commission for Racial Equality, said the appeal could lead to a racist backlash. Detectives had at first refused to pull the plug on the appeal but were overruled by Mr Otter. Seddiqi is still missing though several addresses have been visited by police. Since his disappearance at least three more potential victims have come forward. |