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Council supports raising awareness on hate crime

Published: 14/10/2016

Flintshire County Council is supporting the Welsh Government’s national campaign “Hate Crime Awareness Week” which runs from 8 to 15 October. Council officers were at Coleg Cambria recently to raise awareness and encourage reporting of hate crime. They were also promoting support services and resources that are available locally. Hate crime is a crime against an individual or group of people based on their identity or their perceived difference. It could be an act of violence, hostility or discrimination. Victims may have been bullied, harassed or abused because of who they are, their sexuality, gender, religion, ethnicity or lifestyle choice. The crime can be verbal abuse, offensive graffiti, threats, damage to property, assault, cyber bullying, abusive texts, emails or phone calls. Councillor Kevin Jones, Cabinet Member for Waste Strategy, Public Protection and Leisure said: “Hate Crime is widely accepted to be under reported and can have a significant effect on its victims, who should not tolerate having to suffer in silence. While levels of hate crime are relatively low in this county, I am pleased that we are working in partnership with Welsh Government and North Wales Police to raise the profile of this very important and pertinent issue. “According to information from North Wales Police, over the past 12 months, 30 incidents have been reported and 26 in the previous 12 months. We know that this crime is underreported, that is why we need to raise confidence to report.” As active members of the Community Safety Partnership, the Council works closely with the Police, Health Board, Probation, Fire Service and voluntary sector organisations, in an attempt to raise awareness around such crimes, and also to promote the greater reporting of incidents. The Council also adheres to the Welsh Government’s ‘Tackling Hate Crimes and Incidents - A Framework for Action’ which outlines their strategy for addressing Hate Crime in Wales. Hate crime should be reported by calling North Wales Police on 101 (999 in the case of an emergency) or the Victim Support national reporting system by calling their free 24 hour helpline on 0300 30 31 982 or online www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk. Victim Support also provides targeted support for victims of hate crime. Left to right: PC Gary Robertshaw, Gerwyn Davies FCC, Greg George- NWP, Christine Dykins FCC, Cllr Kevin Jones, Tom Williams FCC, Sian Jones FCC, Mandy Burrows WCBC, PCSO Dan Kelly