POLICE and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer was disappointed to hear 43 percent of people he spoke to at Warrington’s Disability Awareness Day say they had experienced Hate Crime.
With Hate Crime typically under-reported Mr Dwyer is using Hate Crime Awareness Week from today, Saturday 9 October to Saturday 16 October, to encourage people to come forward if they experience it.
Mr Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Hate crime is an abhorrent crime that breeds further hatred, with offenders targeting victims simply because of who they are.
“I was disappointed to hear last month from residents in Cheshire who attended Disability Awareness Day in Warrington that 43% of people had experienced hate crime or discrimination. This shouldn’t be tolerated in our communities and I am committed to doing all I can to help provide support to those who have fallen victim to hate crime.”
If people don’t have the confidence to talk to the police, there are alternative ways to report incidents. These include a network of third-party reporting centres across the county, hosted by charities and public venues. In the last year, there has been a 20% increase in the number of hate crimes reported in Cheshire.
Mr Dwyer added: “It’s positive that people increasingly have the confidence to come forward and report hate crime. However, I believe we’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
“I’d encourage anyone who has experienced hate crime to come forward and speak out, whether that’s directly to the police or in a way that makes them feel more comfortable. Working together we can help to tackle and reduce hate crime in our communities.”
What is a hate crime?
Hate crime involves any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a personal characteristic. Hate crime can be motivated by:
Disability
Race
Religion or faith
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Transgender identity
Hate crime can be reported online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/hco/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime
Call 101, or in an emergency dial 999
