Suffolk Constabulary is encouraging people to come forward if they are victims of hate crime. National Hate Crime Awareness Week (8 to 16 October) is an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of what hate crime is and the harmful effect it has on victims and their families. Hate crime is an attack on people - physically, verbally and online - because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity. In 2021 1,218 hate crimes or incidents were reported to Suffolk police compared to 1,144 in 2020, This year’s final figures are expected to match those of last year. Suffolk is seeing increased reporting, with offences and incidents of transphobia and disability-based hate increasing, in line with national trends, and by far the biggest number of reported offences/incidents are in respect of racially motivated hate crime. The week of action sees the Police continuing its work with Community Safety Partnerships in Suffolk, Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care, Suffolk County Council and Crimestoppers. Officers will be involved in a range of activities across the county, visiting schools and markets to further raise awareness and encourage reporting of hate crime. The tag #NoHateInSuffolk will spearhead the digital messaging. Later in the week, as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week, the force and our partners will also be launching the third annual HOPE Awards to celebrate the positive contributions that young people make within the county. Given that hate crime incidents often take place in public, including on transport, police are offering advice to potential witnesses. There are safe and simple things that you can do, so you do not feel are putting yourself at risk. Remember: your safety is a priority. Watch, be a witness. Don’t turn away as it gives the message to the offender that their behaviour is normal and acceptable. Observe and pay attention to what is happening, the description of the offender, where you are, what time it is, so you have the best information when you report it. Inform security, staff or other people who might be able to help. Once you are in a safe space report the incident as a witness directly to the Police www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/report-crime or call 101. Remember – in case of emergency always call 999. Also, remember to check whether the victim needs help, even after an incident. Offer to call someone for them if they need it. You can also let them know of the support available and how to report the incident themselves: www.suffolk.police.uk/hatecrime Inspector Kirsty Graefe is Suffolk police’s lead on the campaign this year. She said: “Hate crime continues to be an issue in our diverse community and that is why this awareness week remains important as ever. We want victims – and witnesses – to come forward because it is only by reporting these crimes can we gain a full understanding of its extent and impact. It also assists us and partners to help people whose lives are blighted by hate crime.” Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore said: "Everyone has a right to live safely in Suffolk without the fear of prejudice or discrimination. It goes without saying that we should treat each other in a respectful way, but if that’s not the case, we need to support victims of discrimination and ensure they have the confidence to report. "The Constabulary takes hate crime seriously all year round but I do support this #NoHateInSuffolk awareness week which gives us the opportunity to highlight the issue and encourage victims to report hate crime. If, for whatever reason, victims decide not to go to the police, Norfolk &Suffolk Victim Care can offer support or if anonymity is required you can report a hate crime to Crimestoppers. I would encourage anyone affected by hate crime to please seek support. Throughout the week we’ll be displaying posters in all of our stores that will help to raise awareness and encourage reporting of hate crime, so when you see them make sure you take a look to find out how you can keep yourself and others safe.” Cllr Bobby Bennett, Chair of Suffolk's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: "Hate Crime Awareness Week is an important way to raise awareness of hate crime in its many guises and the ways in which victims can access support. Hate crime is a key priority for the Safer Stronger Communities Board (SSCB) and the national week of action enables us to highlight the importance of this work across Suffolk”. For more information and advice visit www.suffolk.police.uk/hatecrime or www.hatecrime.campaign.gov.uk/
REPORTING:
Hate Crime can be reported directly to police online www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/report-crime or anonymously via True Vision.
If you prefer to speak to someone, please dial 101, where someone will be able to help you.
Always dial 999 when life is threatened or people are injured, or if there is a crime in progress or an immediate police response is necessary.
If you have been a victim of or witness to a hate crime and are in need of support, please contact Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care, who offer advice and support to help you cope and recover from the impact of crime. It doesn’t matter how long ago the crime happened or if it has been reported.
Phone: 0300 303 3706 Website: www.nsvictimcare.org Facebook/Twitter @nsvictimcare
Information for young people is also available on The Source website: www.thesource.me.uk/HateCrime
For more information on the National Hate Crime Awareness week please visit https://nationalhcaw.uk
For further crime prevention advice do visit www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/crime-prevention-z
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