Agencies join forces to support national hate crime scheme

MORE THA N 20 agencies from across Fife are now active as Third Party Reporting Centres for hate crime having been trained by representatives from the police and Fife Community Safety Partnership.

Many people are reluctant to report hate crimes directly to the police for a variety of reasons.

Third Party Reporting is a national scheme, providing a victim-centred approach, which aims to overcome these issues and bridge the gap between the victim and the police.

Third Party Reporting Centres are organisations who have agreed to take on this additional role, which will enhance the existing support and services they offer to their clients.

Third Party Reporting allows victims of hate crime to report incidents to trusted people who will complete an online form on their behalf and send it electronically to the police.

This form allows the victim to remain anonymous or they can to choose where and when they meet with the police and if they want someone with them for support. The form also allows the victim in advance to highlight any special requirements they need, such as an interpreter, hearing loop or wheelchair access.

Superintendent Dougie Milton, chairman of Fife Community Safety Partnership, said: “Third Party Reporting is an additional way of encouraging people to report incidents and crimes. This builds on the established partnerships that exist in Fife. We are delighted at the enthusiasm of the staff who have attended the training.”

A gencies who have been trained will display the national Third Party logo.

Hate crime, like any other crime, can be reported to the police by calling the nonemergency number 101, or 999 in an emergency.

From left, back: Alan Stewart, trainer; Naeem Khalid, Frae Fife; Bill Harley, trainer Fife Community Safety Partnership (FCSP); Tim Kendrick, FCSP; John Stirling, chairman of Disability Fife; Superintendent Dougie Milton, chairman FCSP. Front: Anna...