Rochdale stands together against hate crime

The borough of Rochdale has come together to take a stand against hate crime as part of Greater Manchester’s hate crime awareness week, which runs from 1 to 7 February.

Rochdale Borough Council alongside Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and other community groups have held awareness raising events across the borough to challenge perceptions, encourage reporting and promote tolerance.

Hate crimes are crimes committed against someone because of their race, religion, disability, trans identity or sexual orientation. These are the personal characters currently identified by law, however in Greater Manchester hate crimes against alternative sub-culture are also recorded.

Crimes of this nature can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault, bullying, or damage to property.

Over 8,000 hate crimes were reported to the police over the last year.

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for a safer and inclusive community, said: “We in Rochdale embrace and celebrate our differences and are willing to stand up against hate.

“Hate crime awareness week encourages people to support victims of hate crime, to challenge their abuser if it is safe, and to report it.”

Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd said: “Rochdale is renowned for celebrating difference, it’s the sign of a decent, tolerant society.

“Hatred of people’s differences is ignorant and perverse and it should never be accepted or excused. Tackling antisemitism and Islamophobia is high on the agenda right now, but all types of hate crime are equally despicable and destructive.

“Hate crime devastates lives. We must keep talking about it, keep reporting it, and stand together to send a message that such attitudes have no place in our town.

“Anyone can be a victim of a hate crime.”

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. Everyone that makes up the diverse population of Greater Manchester should have the right to live their lives free from hate and discrimination, and making that happen remains a priority for Greater Manchester Police.

"The Force recently provided funding from the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), which is money that has been obtained illegally by criminals but can now be used to fund community projects, to local hate crime prevention charity – We Stand Together. The money will help the charity deliver anti-discrimination workshops to schools, colleges and youth groups throughout Greater Manchester.

"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.

"As part of the campaign, the council trained 40 hate crime awareness ambassadors from organisations across the borough to raise awareness of hate crime throughout the year. The events this year have moved online due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of hate crime, while also encouraging victims to report hate crime incidents in the city-region."

Other events in Rochdale include; a Zoom meeting to talk about hate crime, with special guest speakers, organised by Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership and an awareness raising webinar led by the Asian Mens LGBTQ+ group.

For more information on Hate Crime Awareness Week or to report or receive help and support go to letsendhatecrime.com

If you have been a victim or a witness of hate crime, report it to Greater Manchester Police on 101.

In an emergency always dial 999.