Rothley A black farmer harvesting his field has spoken of his exasperation after police questioned him three times in a week over suspicions that he was stealing food.

David Mwanaka, 42, believed to be one of only two black farmers in Britain, said he was reported to the police by people “who are not used to seeing a black man working in a farmer’s field”. On one occasion four police cars turned up as he was picking maize from his crop, near Rothley, Leicestershire.

Each time Mr Mwanaka, who is originally from Zimbabwe, had to convince the police that he was a genuine farmer, being forced to prove his personal identity and ownership of his vehicle. He also had to call the white farmer, from whom he rents six acres in Leicestershire, before police were satisfied that he was not stealing food.

Mr Mwanaka told The Times: “I do not want to blame people for being racist. I think it has more to do with ignorance. The problem would be if it was the same people calling the police. Then I would think it is malicious.”

The father of three, who commutes to his fields from Basildon, Essex, was the first farmer to grow white maize in Britain. He has a contract to supply Sainsbury’s stores in London.

A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said they had a duty to respond to calls reporting a suspected crime.

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