A NEW research fellow at the University of Bradford has given his views on race and crime, exploring how identity, poverty and racism may explain why people from ‘BAME’ backgrounds are overrepresented in the prison population.

Dr Mohammed Qasim, who grew up in Manningham, wants more dialogue on an issue which he feels is often “brushed aside”.

“We need to understand why a large number of British-born, Pakistani Muslims end up being involved in crime,” said Dr Qasim, whose research has been covered by The Guardian, the BBC and Vice.

“Systemic racism plays a part, but there are other issues to consider.

“There are many negative associations with young British Muslim men, such as links to terrorism and gangs.”

Citing UK prison population statistics published by the Ministry of Justice in October 2021 – which say that Muslims make up 18 per cent of the prison population, despite comprising around five per cent of the national population – he is keen to understand why this is the case.

“People need belonging. Some find stable groups - these might be things like playing snooker or pool once a week, for example,” he said.

“But others do not get into stable groups - these are often the ones who find gangs and street culture appealing.

“Being in a gang brings a certain amount of credibility, and in some deprived communities, ‘street cred’ carries weight.”

Dr Qasim is the author of Young, Muslim and Criminal: Experiences, Identities and Pathways into Crime, and is currently writing and contributing to three more books on crime, identity, inequality and the history of the UK’s Pakistani community. 

“The issues that make young Muslim men turn to criminality are the reasons why anybody turns to criminality,” he added.

“You're living in deprived communities, education levels are appalling, job opportunities are limited, institutional racism limits opportunities, a culture of crime escalates in the neighbourhood, your role models become drug dealers.

“You see that it's easy to become a drug dealer, and it's difficult to find a job.”

Dr Qasim was the first person in his family to attend university, gaining a degree, Master’s and PhD in criminology from Swansea, before teaching at Swansea, Leeds Beckett and London School of Economics.

Professor Peter Mitchell, head of the School of Social Sciences, said: “Dr Qasim’s research is fascinating and of great importance.

“We are fortunate to have someone of his calibre contributing to the learning experience of our students, and we welcome him to the University.”