Is this Brent anti-litter poster racist? Some residents think so...

An anti-littering poster has caused outrage among some Brent residents who have complained that it is racist.

Kilburn Labour councillor John Duffy has called for Brent council to remove Keep Britain Tidy posters in Kilburn High Road after a resident complained they were "racist."

The anti-litter campaign image features a black male model, in what appears to be a mock-up police mugshot, holding up a black placard with the slogan "#Crime not to care".

Speaking to getwestlondon, Cllr Duffy said: "Firstly I think they are useless, but secondly I do think they are racist and enforce negative stereotypes."

In his letter to Brent council chief executive, Carolyn Downs, Cllr Duffy wrote: "I believe the signs are inappropriate and could be seen as an attempt to stereotype persons of colour as the culprits of crime.

"It is also conceivable that (the sign) used a mugshot of a young black man against a background commonly used by LAPD…as offensive to many people."

He added: "I am asking you to remove these signs forthwith from Kilburn, other councillors can make their own mind up.

"I do not wish to see rows of these along Kilburn High Road as I believe they give the wrong impression to the public about how to care for the environment and who is responsible for environmental crime."

Illegal fly-tipping is a serious problem in the borough of Brent and one that residents often complain to the council about.

A Brent Council spokesman said: "The imagery on this poster is part of a national campaign run by Keep Britain Tidy which is being used by Brent along with at least 30 other councils.

"We want everyone to enjoy an environment free of illegally dumped rubbish and attempts to undermine the campaign by twisting things to create division are dishonest and unhelpful.

"We are proud of the fact that we have a strong track record of using a diverse range of people in our communications. To try to create a row over a single poster is ridiculous."

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