Hate Crime

Subject: Hate Crime

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This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Victoria Fearnley (Police, PCSO, Crewe LPU Centre PCSO)

Stand up and report hate crime

Do people target you with abuse or violence because of your appearance? Sexual orientation? Gender identity? Race? Religion?

You wouldn’t let people get away with crimes such as burglary, so why let them get away with hate crime?

Cheshire Police and John Dwyer, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire are supporting Hate Crime Awareness Week - which began on Saturday 10 October - and want to encourage victims to come forward and report the crime either to police or a third party reporting centre.

Deputy Chief Constable Janette McCormick said, “Hate Crime is a very broad term and as well as encouraging people to report it, we also want to increase people’s knowledge on the issue so they know what it means, and how and where to report it.

“Nationally, it’s recognised that hate crime is under reported. Here in Cheshire we had 765 hate crimes reported to us, and we believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

“Cheshire Police takes hate crime seriously and I want to reiterate to victim’s out there that if you come and talk to us, we’ll listen to you and provide the care and support you need as you progress through the process. We’re here for you when and where you need us, so please report hate crime and help us to help you.”

John Dwyer, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire said, “Hate Crime Awareness week, once again helps us to raise awareness and give people the courage to speak about the prejudice they have been subjected to. Here in Cheshire, Hate Crime is under reported. This could be for a variety of reasons, but through my investment in specialist victim services I am doing everything I can to ensure that victims can feel confident in reporting hate crime and the correct help and support is available for those who need it.”

What is a hate crime?

Hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person, or property that is motivated in whole or in part by the offender’s hostility towards someone based on a personal characteristic. This can include:

• Disability
• Faith/Belief
• Homophobic
• Racism
• Transphobic

Hate crime can be reported to the police using 101, or in an emergency 999. However, if you don’t feel comfortable talking to the police, you can report it online via True Vision or at a third party community reporting centre.