85 new hate crime centres to open
September 14th, 2009
North Yorkshire police have created 85 hate crime reporting centres across the region.
The reporting centres, which are located in public buildings such as libraries, housing associations and community areas, are designed to provide an informal environment for victims of hate crime who feel intimidated by police stations.
Hate crime is any offence committed against a person or property which is motivated by the offender’s hatred of people because of their race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
Chief Inspector Hunter said he hoped that the hate crime centres would encourage more victims to report incidents.
“The decision not to report is often founded on a complex mix of an individual’s emotions, perceptions and expectations,” said Hunter.
“Accessibility to and convenience of police stations is also a determining factor.
“The reporting centres are another example of how the police can work with the local community and I am sure they will help us achieve our aim of increasing the reporting of hate crime in North Yorkshire and assist in the prevention and detection of this crime.
“This is a terrible and often hidden crime, and will not be tolerated in our communities.”
its about time they did something like this and maybe the rest of the country will take note and do the same, we at Hart Gables in Hartlepool have recently employed our own Hate crime worker, who is available to help with this sort of thing.
josie ∼ September 15th, 2009 9:49 am