Tackling Hate Crime across Warrington and Cheshire

POLICE in Cheshire are joining other North West police forces in raising awareness of hate crime this week.
The first-ever North West Forces Hate Crime Week sees organisations and partners holding events across the region in a bid to tackle hate crime in all its forms.
The week aims to educate people on what hate crime is, encourage them to report all instances of it – either directly to police or via one of the growing numbers of third party reporting centres – and highlight the support services that are available to both victims and witnesses.
A large number of third party reporting centres spread across the county are listed on the force’s website. They include charities and public venues and provide help and support for people who would prefer not to report a hate crime directly to police.
Nick Bailey, Acting Assistant Chief Constable at Cheshire Constabulary, said: “Everyone in Cheshire should feel free to be themselves. No one should face violence, abuse or hated just because of who they are, who they love, where they are from, what they look like or what they believe.
“Being targeted because of your race, gender identity, religion/faith, sexual orientation or disability is a hate crime and we are determined to do all we can to stop all forms of hate crime.”
David Keane, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, has commissioned Warrington Voluntary Action to refresh training for the third party reporting centres.
A training event on diversity and hate crime reporting at The Gateway Community Resource Centre on Sankey Street in Warrington on Thursday.
Mr Keane said:: “Hate crime is an ongoing and emerging issue, both nationally and in Cheshire, that is currently under-reported in the local area.
“I am committed to providing funding to commission services that provide the necessary support to victims to encourage them to report these issues to ensure they are investigated properly.”
Inspector David Gordon, Cheshire Constabulary’s hate crime lead, said: “The public will be aware that hate crime reports increased nationally last year, but some parts of the Cheshire community are still not reporting incidents.
“Third party reporting centres are community service allies that help us ensure that as many of the incidents of hate crime that take place in Cheshire are reported to us as possible.
“We will not stand for hate crime and have strict protocols to ensure that every incident is dealt with, with the victim firmly in mind.
“Every victim is directed to Cheshire Cares, an enhanced service offering free emotional and practical support to help victims cope and recover from the impact of crime.”
Hate crime can be reported to Cheshire Constabulary by calling 101, or in an emergency 999. But people who do not feel comfortable talking to the police can report it online via True Vision at www.report-it.org.uk/home or at a third party reporting centre. For the full list of reporting centres in Cheshire visit www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/hate-crime/third-party-reporting-centres