North Wales police boss – “we must stand up to the scourge of post Brexit racism”

Reported hate crimes have risen by 57 per cent in the wake of the EU referendum vote, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

It’s understood there has been more than 100 incidents of racial abuse and hate crime reported across Britain since the vote to leave the EU.

A ‘spike’ in incidents has also been reported by the Wales National Hate Crime Report & Support Centre who have seen an upward trend in reported incidents post Brexit, versus the same time last year.

Despite the upward surge, the Wales Hate Crime unit told Deeside.com they had not seen an increase of reported incidents in North Wales thankfully.

Wales Hate Crime Manager Gareth Cuerden said:

“Looking at the data split our referral data looks normal to what we would expect through from the North Wales Region, and I am assured by North Wales Police they are closely monitoring the trends and reports..

North Wales Police Commissioner Arfon Jones has however warned that racist abuse will not be tolerated in the region, he said:

“I am aware that since the referendum result last Friday there have been reports of racist abuse and threatening behaviour towards ethnic minorities across Wales and the UK.

So far in North Wales I am pleased to see that there has not been an increase in hate related incidents and it is important that we do all we can to prevent and protect people from this insidious type of crime.

I urge people to report those inciting or committing hate crimes.  As North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner I am firm in my stance that we must stand up to the scourge of post Brexit racism.

I encourage our communities to counter racist narrative by standing up to those carrying out such abuse and report them immediately to the police. Racism against our fellow citizens is wholly unacceptable and should not be tolerated.

The tone and the rhetoric used by certain Leave campaigners prior to the referendum can be described as creating fear and hatred and following the result of the referendum it seems that some individuals believe that the result gives ‘carte blanche’ to abuse and harass people they think should not remain in this country.

“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated. North Wales Police and I will do everything within our powers to protect everyone who lives and visits North Wales whatever their country of origin and will prosecute those who commit hate crimes.”

Welsh public figures also say they have been subjected to racist abuse, including Muslim Remain campaigner Shazia Awan, a former Conservative parliamentary candidate, who received a Tweet on Friday saying: “Pack your bags….youre (sic) going home.”

She has reported eight people to South Wales Police.

A man was the victim of a racist attack on a tram in Manchester with youth shouting ‘get back to Africa’,

Witnesses described the abuse as ‘horrendous’ as at least three youths are seen shouting abuse at a man in a tram in Central Manchester on Tuesday morning.

The man, identified as American Juan Jasso, a former soldier who has lived in the UK for 18 years, is seen asking the teenagers to stop swearing in front of children.

The three were later arrested by police.

• Visit the Victim Support website: Confidential Reporting Form
• North Wales Police: Hate Crime