PEOPLE who suffer hate crime – targeted for reasons such as disability, race, or a medical condition – are being helped by a special police campaign in Warrington.
Cheshire Police is reaching out to communities to raise awareness of this type of crime, where victims are targeted because of a certain characteristic personal to them.
Police say there is a common understanding that prejudice can be based around race, sexual orientation or faith, but that “hate crime” can also be associated with a disability or medical condition.
Inspector Mark Watson said “The Constabulary prides itself on continually exploring new and innovative ways to reach out to those that may find themselves subjected to ‘hate crime.’
“Hate crime can manifest itself in many ways – people can unwittingly find themselves victims of this type of crime and it’s in these circumstances that we urge our local community to be aware of these vulnerable people and report anything they feel may be of concern to the police, however minor.”
Early intervention by police can help prevent further incidents and encourage other victims to come forward who may not do so otherwise.
Police are working with other agencies and voluntary sector organisations to educate others in recognising vulnerabilities. A significant reduction in recorded hate crimes has since been recorded.
Inspector Watson said: “There are many ways a victim – or anyone with concerns for another – can report their concerns to the police. We understand that there may be barriers to communication within certain groups, or on occasion the individual may feel mistrustful or too intimidated by the police to report an incident.”
He said police had set up more than 60 third-party reporting centres across a number of voluntary and public bodies, to assist victims with reporting.
Further information is available at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice–information/hate-crime/true-vision.aspx and www.cheshire.police.uk/advice–information/hate-crime/community-reporting-centres.aspx or Cheshire Police can be contacted on 0845 458 0000.
