Race hate crime campaign

Race hate crime campaign launched at Deeplish Community Centre

Deeplish Community Centre, in partnership with GMP and RMBC Community Safety Team, has launched a race hate crime campaign.

Sgt Oakes gave a detailed presentation to community members and councillors about the race hate crime campaign, explaining what hate crime is.

He explained hate incidents are “any incident which may or may not constitute a criminal offence and which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate.”

He further said that “any incident which constitutes a criminal offence is called a hate crime”.

In answering the question as to what GMP is doing to tackle these crimes, Sgt Oakes explained:  “We deal with victims of hate incidents/crime, liaise with other partner agencies, arrest offenders, support victims/families, promote community confidence, increase awareness of hate incidents/crime and offer advice and support."

Councillor Janet Emsley said: “Often there are two main types, physical abuse and verbal abuse. We must report it to the police and log it. In order to stamp on these crimes, we must report them and let the police investigate and support our diverse communities in promoting well-being for all residents."

Councillor Aasim Rasheed said: “By way of reporting these crimes, we are promoting justice and reducing crimes. The council fully supports this campaign and it is up to individuals to start reporting these crimes, no matter how small they are.

"Deeplish Community Centre is very actively engaged with local communities and it is good that the community centre is supporting and promoting this race hate crime campaign”.

Councillor Allen Brett cadded: “There should be zero tolerance against any race hate crime and general crime and we can only achieve this if we can start reporting it.

"We must promote this campaign and support safer neighbourhood for our communities.”

Emma Salloway, from the Council Community Safety Team,  explained the importance of reporting race hate crimes and the support available from RMBC. She also provided materials to all participants and community members for further help and support in dealing with such crimes.

Maniza Bi, Health and well-being Coordinator at Deeplish, said: “We are pleased to work in partnership with GMP, local community members and groups in order to raise an awareness to become part of bigger picture.

"I am pleased that all participants understood this message very clearly as it was explained in community languages.

"We strive to achieve zero tolerance against any crime, including race hate crime which is on rise.”

Sohail Ahmad, Manager at Deeplish Community Centre, thanked Sargent Oakes, PCSO Mahmood, Anderton, Emma Salloway from the Community Safety Team and councillors for participating in the campaign. He said: “I am impressed to see the efforts made by GMP in engaging with the local community, it gives local people a great chance to strengthen a true partnership.

“We must continue to connect with people and communities in order to clamp down on race hate crimes and other crimes."

Deeplish Community Centre is registered hub providing help and support to victims of race hate crime. The community centre can be visited if facing language barriers or difficulty in online reporting.