February 26, 2010
Bedfordshire Police Joins Forces with National Charity
Bedfordshire Police is to join forces with a national charity to combat hate crime in the county.
Stop Hate UK was established in 1995 and works throughout the country providing a third party reporting service across all six strands of diversity – age, disability, gender identity, race, religion and sexual orientation.
The charity provides access to trained staff, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, who can provide support, help, and advice and allows members of the public to report any incidents of hate crime in an anonymous environment.
The charity will be working closely with the police as well as the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships together with local voluntary agencies across the county.
The initiative, which begins in Bedfordshire on March 2, has worked in other areas of the country to improve the reporting of hate crime and has increased support to victims, which in turn, has increased public confidence.
Leading the initiative, Inspector James Goldsmith, of Bedfordshire Police, said: “Hate crimes happen because of hostility, prejudice or hatred of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation.
“They include things like name calling and verbal abuse, bullying and harassment, spitting, physical attacks, damage to property, graffiti, offensive notes, emails and text messages.
“When contacting Stop Hate UK victims will be asked if they want their information to be shared with the police and partner organisations however we understand that some victims of this type of crime may wish to remain anonymous.
“We hope working with Stop Hate UK will encourage people to come forward to talk about what is happening to them and highlight any concerns they have.
“This information will be used by Bedfordshire Police and other agencies to accurately focus our efforts on reducing and preventing hate crime whilst providing the necessary support to individual victims.”
Rose Simkins, Chief Executive of Stop Hate UK, said: “Stop Hate UK wants to stop people suffering in silence. We are here 24 hours a day to help.
“Hate crime victims often want to get support from an organisation that is independent from the police. We can explain to them that hate crimes are not something they have to put up with, and help them feel empowered and supported.”
She continued: “Victims and witnesses can use these services to report hate crimes and access support, and can remain anonymous, if they wish. In many areas of the UK, there are also reporting centres, where people can go to make reports.
“Hate crimes can also be reported to the police, however, it is estimated that only 25% of racist hate incidents are reported, and even fewer of the other types of hate crime. By making hate crime reporting as easy and accessible as possible, it is hoped that more people will be encouraged to report what has happened.”
People can text to 07717 989 025, email and access Stop Hate UK online services at www.stophateuk.org or call the charity’s 24-hour helpline – 0800 138 1625.
If anyone wishes to contact Bedfordshire Police direct and talk to an officer, in confidence about hate crime, they can call 01234 841212, or text 07786 200011.
Stop Hate Crime Poster
