North Wales PCC backs National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2023

National Hate Crime Awareness Week is running from 14-21 October across the UK, with the aim of shining a light on the scourge of hate crime.

The week-long campaign founded in 2009, encourages Government, the Police, local councils, charities, and communities affected by hate incidents, to work together to tackle local hate crime across the UK.

According to the organisers, it “aims to bring people together to stand in solidarity with those affected by hate crime, to remember those we have lost, and support those who need ongoing support.”

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin has given the campaign his full backing and is taking part in a series of events to mark the week and to engage with different communities across the region affected by hate crime.

Kicking off the week, the PCC’s office is hosting an online discussion titled ‘Understanding Hate Crime and Vulnerability in North Wales.’ For this, Mr Dunbobbin will be teaming up with leading organisations like the Wales Hate Support Centre at Victim Support, Show Racism the Red Card, and the North Wales Community Cohesion Teams.

This session promises a comprehensive understanding of the services offered in North Wales, with a special focus on disabled individuals.

In a move to educate the future of law enforcement, Mr Dunbobbin will address Professional Policing degree students at Wrexham University, emphasising the campaign’s significance and the vital role of the police in challenging hate crimes.

He will also visit Hawarden High School on Friday morning. Collaborating with the Cyber Crime team of North Wales Police, he will discuss online hate crimes and their impact on young individuals.

Highlighting the campaign’s importance, Andy Dunbobbin stated, “Hate Crime Awareness Week is essential to expose the ruin hate can cause in our communities. I urge victims to report incidents so we can promptly address them. While the spotlight is on for a week, our dedication to challenge Hate Crime is unwavering throughout the year.”

PC Richard Fishlock, Diversity Officer/Hate Crime Officer in North Wales Police’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team said: “North Wales Police are committed to supporting victims of hate crime, which we do alongside our partners at Victim Support and other support services. It is also important to remember that North Wales Police will do all we can to tackle offenders and offending behaviour. We take hate crime seriously and do everything in our power to ensure offenders are held accountable and brought to justice.”

A hate incident is one in which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.

If you need to report a hate crime you can contact North Wales Police by calling 101 (if you are in North Wales) or for information on other ways to report (including third party and anonymous reporting) go to the North Wales Police website. Further information about hate crime can be found on the equality pages of the Force website. Reports can be made to police via third party reporting agencies like Victim Support. These agencies assist those who would prefer not to deal directly with Police.

Remember if it’s an emergency always dial 999. Hate Crime is wrong. Don’t suffer in silence. Report it.