Police focus on stamping out Hate Crime

POLICE in Cheshire are joining other forces across the country in raising awareness of hate crime this coming week.
It is part of National Hate Crime Awareness week – and six third-party reporting centres will be open in Warrington to enable victims to report incidents if they have difficulty reporting them directly to policc
The week allows police forces, other agencies and charities to highlight the importance of understanding what hate crime is, how to report it and what support is available for victims.
A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.
Nick Bailey, Acting Assistant Chief Constable at Cheshire Police said: “Everyone in Cheshire should feel free to be themselves. No one should face violence, abuse or hatred just because of who they are, who they love, where they are from, what they look like or what they believe. Being targeted because of your race, gender identity, religion/faith, sexual orientation or disability is a hate crime and we are determined to do all we can to stop all forms of hate crime.
“But we understand that some people are wary of speaking to the police. It is imperative that victims have the confidence to speak out if they have been subjected to a hate crime so a wide range of voluntary organisations and servicer user groups provide a third party reporting service for victims and witnesses. We also have trained staff who we can arrange for you to speak to if it would make you feel more comfortable, for instance LGBT staff.
“These services offer a safe and comfortable environment and can assist people with reporting a hate crime. They will help you fill in an easy to fill in form on the True Vision website and the police will then use that report to investigate the hate crime thoroughly and make sure the perpetrator is made to face the consequences of their actions.”
Reporting centres in Warrington will be at: Warrington Citizens Advice Bureau, Speak Up, Trans Warrington and The Relationship Centre, all at The Gateway, Sankey Street, all LiveWire leisure centres and libraries and and  The Youth Cafe, 42 Bank Street, Warrington