Online bid to stamp out hate crime

RESIDENTS were being encouraged to be kind to one another as part of this year’s Hate Crime Awareness Week.

Residents across Stockport were encouraged to join in a week’s events.

Due to the pandemic events are moving online this year with the aim to raise awareness of hate crime, while also encouraging victims to report hate crime incidents in the city-region.

Hate crimes are crimes committed against someone because of their race, religion, disability, trans identity or sexual orientation.

The borough also records hate crimes against alternative subcultures.

Events are taking place across the week throughout all ten boroughs including a Q&A session with the LGBT Foundation, a series of podcasts created by Miners Community Arts and Music Centre as well as a virtual roundtable discussion hosted by CARISMA Services.

The LGBT community have also created ‘Gaydio’ where volunteers will broadcast packages played throughout the week.

Deputy Mayor of Policing and Crime, Bev Hughes, said: “Despite the ongoing challenges of Covid-19, tackling hate crime very much remains a priority in Greater Manchester and I am proud that once again we’re raising awareness through Hate Crime Awareness Week.

“Our city-region is a welcoming place made up of diverse communities and we want everybody to be happy here.

“We will not stand for hate and division here in Greater Manchester, and we will continue to build on the positive work and partnerships built across our ten boroughs with the aim of working together to eradicate hate crime.”

Last year GMCA launched The Plan to Tackle Hate Crime, which sees local authorities, emergency services and community groups joining forces with the aim to eradicate hate crime in Greater Manchester.

More than 800 people helped to contribute to the plan, with work now underway to establish scrutiny panels, education programmes in schools and awareness campaigns.

Stockport, along with the other boroughs has received £5,000 to support local events and activities as par of the plan.

Superintendent Rick Jackson, Greater Manchester Police’s tactical lead on hate crime, said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have seen our communities supporting each other through challenging times.

“This is what Greater Manchester is known for, and hate and intolerance threatens that cohesion.

“Hate Crime Awareness Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness of hate crime, but our message stands throughout the year – we are here for victims, to listen, take appropriate action and offer support services, and to offenders, that hate crime will not be tolerated.”

People who want to report hate crimes can do so anonymously via www. letsendhatecrime.com, or by calling the police on 101.

Alternatively, you can report hate crime at an independent reporting centre, these are available across Greater Manchester.