UK police condemn Trump’s complaint about British Muslims

In this March 21, 2016 file photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks in Washington. Republican and Democratic presidential candidates clashed over the role of government, and its limitations, in enforcing U.S. national security Tuesday, March 21, 2016, following deadly attacks on the Brussels airport and metro system. AP FILE PHOTO

LONDON — A senior British counter-terrorism police officer has condemned Donald Trump’s assertion that British Muslims are not reporting extremists in their communities to police.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu told BBC Radio on Wednesday that Trump’s comments are wrong and could spark hate crimes.

He says “if we demonize one section of the community, that is the worst thing we can do. We are absolutely playing into the terrorists’ hands of making people feel hate.”

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Basu admitted British police have to do more to encourage Muslims and other Britons to report suspicious activity to police.

Trump spoke to “Good Morning Britain.” The Republican presidential contender said months ago that parts of London and other UK cities had become “no-go” areas for police, sparking a movement to ban him from entering Britain.

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