17 October 2012 - Hate crime: challenge it, report it, stop it
Organisations in Bexley are joining forces to raise awareness of hate crime, as part of a series of events to mark Hate Crime Awareness Week (Saturday 13 October to Friday 19 October).
The Bexley Community Safety Partnership is re-launching its hate crime campaign with a revamped information leaflet (available via the link on the right hand side) which highlights organisations and charities which can provide help and support for anyone who has been unfortunate enough to be a victim of such crime.
"I am pleased that Bexley currently has a small number of hate crimes - and all the organisations who are part of the partnership want to keep it that way," commented Cllr Katie Perrior, Partnership Chairman. "We need information, because the more we know about hate crime, the more opportunity we have to tackle it."
Borough Police Commander Victor Olisa added: "We take hate crime very seriously and I would urge anyone who is a victim to report incidents to the police. Even if the incident does not amount to a crime, we will still record and investigate it.
"Because of the nature of hate crime, victims often find it difficult to report it to the police and some criminals think they can take advantage of this. That's why we have developed a number of options that make it easier for victims to report hate crime. Details are included in the new information leaflet."
Other activities during the week include community engagement work by the Safer Transport Team in Bexleyheath Broadway, sessions for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people at Bexley College and Rose Bruford College and a 'Have a say' event at Lime Row in Thamesmead.
Bexley Community Safety Partnership is made up of the police, council, fire, probation, health and other partners, who work together to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol misuse.
Hate Crime Awareness Week is a national event and activities are taking place across the capital, culminating in a vigil in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 20 October, between 7pm and 9pm. These activities are being held in remembrance of the victims of such attacks and to raise awareness of hate crime.
