Campaign to stamp out hate crime

WARRINGTON people are being urged to join in a campaign to stamp out hate crime in the town.
The borough council and its partners are developing a new Hate Crime Reduction Strategy and Action Plan.
It aims to prevent hate crime, increase reporting and improve response, and is open for consultation before August 10.
Hate crime is defined as harassing, victimising, intimidating or abusing someone because of their race, faith, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. It can take many forms including physical attacks, threat of attack or verbal abuse.
Cllr Hitesh Patel, (pictured) executive board member for personnel and communications, said: “We’d like as many people as possible to get involved in the development of the new strategy and action plan which sets out our plans to raise awareness and tackle hate crime.
“The partnership will be developing specific projects with town centre businesses, local schools and colleges, and transport providers to ensure the action plan delivered effectively.”
The draft strategy can be viewed at www.warrington.gov.uk/consultations
Campaigners are urging people who are victims of, or witness a hate crime to report it to police on 999 or 101.