Hate Crime Awareness Week
Added at 11:25 on 11 October 2023
Anyone who has experienced hate crime in the borough will be encouraged to reach out to support services to report their experiences during National Hate Crime Awareness Week which takes place next week (14-21 October).
A hate crime is anything that targets a person for their race, ethnicity or nationality, for their disability, their gender or sexual orientation, or their religion, faith or beliefs.
The Borough Council’s Community Safety Team and Hinckley Police have organised a number of activities in schools and in the wider community to help raise awareness of hate crimes as well as how to report them.
Council Officers and the police will be at the Tesco store on Station Yard, Hinckley on Thursday 19 October between 12 noon and 2pm where anyone can pick up information about local support and find out how to report a hate crime as well as pick up free crime prevention gadgets including light timers and purse bells.
Diversity workshops in primary schools will aim to help youngsters to understand how people are all different and unique, as well as the impact of hate crimes and bullying on the victim and how to get help if they or someone they know needs support.
The Borough Council's Community Safety team and Hinckley Police will also be out in the community speaking to individuals to tell them about Keep Safe Places – a scheme available in shops and other public areas to help people to deal with any incidents that take place when they are out and about - hate crime reporting centres and tips on keeping safe.
The aim of the activity is to change people’s attitudes around hate crimes to help perpetrators understand the effect their actions have on people and give victims the confidence to seek justice.
Councillor Michael Mullaney, Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety at the Borough said: "I welcome the work that is going on in the borough to increase awareness of hate crimes and encourage anyone being targeted because of who they are to report it. There’s more information available online or visit the hate crime stall at Tesco on Thursday 19 October to learn more about reporting hate crime.”
Hate crime and hate incidents can be reported online by visiting: https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/hco/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime/ or by calling the police on 101.
Alternatively, hate incidents can be reported in person at independent reporting centres which are available across Hinckley & Bosworth via https://www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/info/98/hate_crime/1564/report_hate_crime_in_person
For more information about Hate Crime Awareness week go to www.nationalhcaw.uk