MORE people should report hate crime, according to Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner John Dwyer, after the latest statistics were published by the Home Office.
The statistics show the number of reported hate crimes in Cheshire have increased by 170, but a crime survey for England and Wales estimates that 60% of hate crimes go unreported to police.
Dwyer said: “I’m delighted to see that the number of reported hate crimes has increased from 365 in 2011/12 to 535 in 2012/2013. It’s a small step in the right direction as we continue to raise awareness and increase public confidence in reporting this type of crime.
“The number of reports for hate crimes surrounding disability, gender identity, religion and race are still rather low. I urge people who have been victims of this type of hate crime to have the confidence to come forward and report it.”
Community reporting centres were established by Cheshire Constabulary and partner agencies to help encourage people to report hate crimes. The service that the centres run is led by the victim, and helps to build confidence with the victim and the community.
Deborah Ardern, the Hate Crime Co-Ordinator for Cheshire Constabulary said: “We have been working with the minority communities in Cheshire to improve their confidence and ensure that incidents of hate crime are reported to the police.
“We are trying to make sure people can access information and through third parties have a safe place to report hate crime.”
A hate crime is defined as any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by hostility towards someone because of their race/ethnic origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or other personal characteristic.
More information about community reporting centres and other ways to report hate crime can be found on www.cheshire.police.uk
MORE people should report hate crime, according to Cheshire Police &
Crime Commissioner John Dwyer, after the latest statistics were
published by the Home Office.
Report hate crime, says commissioner
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
