Source: City of Plymouth
It’s Hate Crime Awareness Week, and with 588 hate crime offences recorded by the Police in Plymouth in the last year, it’s more important than ever to highlight the issues.
A hate crime is any crime that is targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s membership or perceived membership of a protected characteristic:
- Disability
- Race or Ethnicity
- Religion or Belief
- Sexual Orientation
- Transgender Identity.
During the week, staff from the Council’s Community Safety team will be attending awareness raising events and engagement sessions, such as:
- A drop-in session at the British Red Cross on Monday 14 October at 12pm to 2pm
- Event at Plymouth University with the Police Diverse Community Team on Wednesday 16 October
- The Barne Barton family hub are also running a drop-in session called ‘The Pioneers Project’ with the Police on Wednesday 16 October from 10am to 1pm, aimed at educating people about hate crime and reporting
- Youth Services Workshops delivered across the city during the week, including open access, schools, SEND, and targeted groups
- The Council’s Street Based teams will be promoting key messages across the city to young people, communities and businesses.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community safety said: “One hate crime is one too many. We all need to be more aware of what hate crime is and how we can address it.
“Hate crime comes in many different forms and strikes at the heart of communities. Everyone in our city should feel safe, supported and be able to report incidents of hate crime without fear.”
Hate crime can fall into one of three main categories; physical assault, verbal abuse and incitement to hatred, this is where someone acts in a way that is threatening and intended to stir up hatred, including by posting words and pictures online.
Councillor Angela Penrose, Welcoming City Champion, added: “The diversity of our city is one of our greatest strengths and assets, and we want Plymouth to be recognised as a city that is welcoming, safe, international and with a vibrant cultural offer.”
More information about Hate Crime and how to report: Hate crime | Devon & Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk)