Police and Crime Commissioner urges people in north Wales to report hate crime

This week is National Hate Crime Awareness Week and the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has teamed up with partners supported by the Welsh Government to encourage more people to report hate incidents and crimes.

Winston Roddick said

“Reported incidences of hate crime have risen in North Wales but we still think they are under reported, particularly for certain groups. There were 397 hate crimes reported in North Wales last year. The majority of those were racially motivated. However research tells us that many other groups are also affected by hate crime. For example many disabled people are victims of hate crime and incidents on a daily basis but in 2013 only 33 disability related hate crimes were reported in North Wales.

We are launching a hate crime awareness raising campaign across the north Wales region. We want everyone to understand the impact of hate crime and pledge to help eradicate it. Everyone has a duty to speak out against hate crime. Even if you think an individual incident is a small thing you should still report it, because if incidents are repeatedly happening to you or someone you know then the effect can be massive. Don’t ignore it – Report it.”

Hate crime is a crime against an individual based on their identity or their perceived difference. It could be an act of violence, hostility or discrimination. Victims may have been bullied, harassed or abused because of who they are, their sexual orientation, gender, religion, ethnicity or lifestyle choice. The crime may be verbal abuse, offensive graffiti, threats, damage to property, assault, cyber bullying, abusive texts, emails or phone calls.

Hate crime should be reported by calling North Wales Police on 101 (999 in the case of an emergency) or Victim Support’s free 24 hour helpline on 0300 30 31 982 or online www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk