Town police officer victim of hate-related public order offence while carrying out her duty
PC KHAN REVEALS HOW SHE HAS BEEN RACIALLY ABUSED THROUGHOUT HER LIFE
A GRIMSBY police constable has revealed she has been racially abused while carrying out her job.
PC Nuha Khan is a visible presence in northern Lincolnshire and regularly engages with all sectors of society as a Community Beat Manager in Grimsby.
According to Humberside Police, half of all reported religious hate crime in the UK is targeted towards people from the Muslim community.
Humberside Police aims to crack down on all hate crime.
PC Khan has revealed the impact racial abuse has had on her and her family and how Humberside Police is committed to tackling hate crime.
She said: “I have been racially abused whilst on duty.
“My mother and sister were also racially abused when I was younger.
“It has become the norm to pre-judge Muslims due to media coverage in relation to ISIS and now the Taliban and refugees seeking asylum.
“I have engaged with Afghan refugees as I can speak the same language as them.”
With the Taliban recently taking back control of Afghanistan, there are growing concerns of another increase in Islamophobia.
PC Khan adds: “Education about cultures is important. Don’t be scared to ask questions. Sometimes the key is to engage and explain. From some of the interactions I have had as a PC with some youths, and teaching them about my culture, it has helped them understand.
“The public and community read articles and, as stated, prejudge. I was called a terrorist numerous times when I was younger but, with a bit of education, this mind-set can change.
“From personal experience, Humberside Police is dealing with hate crime really well. I have been a victim of a hate-related public order offence and I had nothing but support.
“My aim is to break down cultural norms and to show that working as a constable is a viable career path.”
PC Khan joined the force in February 2018, working as a police civilian in the Identification Unit then as a PC in Grimsby Patrol in July 2019.
She began her current role as Community Beat Manager, covering Grimsby West, in December, last year. She is also vice chair of the Asian Police Staff Association (APSA) which is a network set up by Humberside Police in 2020.
Humberside Police takes all reports of hate crime seriously and during Hate Crime Awareness Week, officers want to remind people to call it out and report hate crimes.
To report a hate crime, visit Humberside Police or the national hate crime website, call us on 999 in an emergency, or 101 for non-emergencies.