Information on Loughborough
News Index
2012
Feb 2012Jan 2012
2011
Dec 2011Nov 2011
Oct 2011
Sep 2011
Aug 2011
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
May 2011
Apr 2011
Mar 2011
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
2010
Dec 2010Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
Aug 2010
Jul 2010
Jun 2010
May 2010
Apr 2010
Mar 2010
Feb 2010
Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
Hate Crime in Loughborough
Posted on 15/11/2007
P. Klein
Posted on 15th November 2007
P.Klein
Hate crime is unfortunately very common in the UK and can destroy lives. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) defines hate crime as "a crime where the perpetrators prejudice against any identifiable group of people is a factor in determining who is victimised". Typically one thinks of racism, however it also includes religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation and disability. According to the ACPO definition a victim of hate crime does not have to be a member of a minority " the person may be targeted because of an association with a person who is a gay for example. In fact homophobic crimes are thought to be seriously under reported. Nationally the police estimate that most racist and religious hate crime, and as much as 90% of homophobic hate crime, goes unreported.
In order to rectify this situation and identify the areas and extent of the problem people have been encouraged to come forward and report incidents. Amar Bashir, the Racial Harassment Officer for Charnwood Racial Equality Council and an Equalities Officer for Charnwood Borough Council explained that there are many reasons why people dont report events. Sometimes they are too frightened or embarrassed, there might be perceived language barriers, they dont know who to turn to or the incident might occur when they are working and they cant afford to take time off. There might also be the fear of recrimination. When asked about what about the fear of recrimination if things were reported Amar explained that they could provide a sensitive approach such as the victims going to meet the police away from their property to avoid drawing attention.
Amar also went on to explain that a lot of their work in Loughborough is preventative and that hate crime is largely based on ignorance. Consequently they are always looking to educate and prevent crime. This week the police have been working with Charnwood Borough Council and Charnwood Racial Equality Council and have been running a stall in the centre of Loughborough to raise awareness of the help and support that the three organisations can offer to victims of hate crime. They were joined today by The Worshipful The Mayor of Charnwood, Joe Tormey. So far this week they have spoken to several hundred people about what they do and the issues involved. Information leaflets have been available and also Hate Incident Monitoring Forms.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a hate incident and have missed the stall in Loughboroughs Market Place then you can report it online at Leicestershire County Councils website at http://www.leics.gov.uk/reporthate
END