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A campaign to raise awareness of hate crime and encourage more people to report it is being stepped up.
The Stop Hate Crime campaign is led by Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities Service and funded by the Home Office.
Fifty posters urging the public to report hate crime are posted on buses in Batley, Dewsbury and Huddersfield, and other parts of the district, until February 1st 2009.
Karen Johnson, Head of Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities Service, said: “Agencies are working together to create safer and stronger communities.
“This initiative sends a strong message that we will not tolerate hate crime. We would urge anyone affected to report it and get support.”
Hate crime refers to racism, homophobia and ‘disablism’, where people are targeted because of a disability.
The term covers physical attack, threat of attack, verbal abuse or insults, damage to property, offensive graffiti, intimidation and bullying.
During the first phase of the campaign launched last year, 160 community rangers, social workers, housing officers, police community support officers, and other staff received hate crime awareness training.
Now, another 160 frontline workers – those who come into contact with the public – will be trained in the next two months. The course covers the different types of hate crime, where to report it and how to help people affected.
In addition, Kirklees Council has commissioned a specialist service led by the national organisation Stop Hate UK until the end of March. A case worker, based in Huddersfield, is available three days a week to assess and process hate crime cases from across the district.
Stop Hate UK works with communities and in partnership with agencies to encourage the reporting of hate crime. It also handles cases, make referrals to other agencies and acts as a mediator.
Kirklees Council is the first local authority nationally to set up specific reporting centres for disability hate crime.
Javier Santana-Acosta, Strategic Diversity Officer, said: “Hate crime ranges from verbal abuse to physical attack. It can have a devastating impact on the victim. We take hate crime seriously, and support is available. We are also pleased to offer a case work service for people across Kirklees.”
People can report incidents online or attend one of the 48 reporting centres, based in community rooms, housing offices and advice centres in Batley, Dewsbury and Huddersfield.
The public can give information about an incident against themselves or someone else - either on the record or anonymously. They will be offered help from other agencies, including the police, if they want to take further action.
As part of the campaign launch last year, 10,000 Stop Hate Crime Report It cards were given to frontline staff to hand out to the public. Around 800 posters were distributed to schools, libraries and other public services, and displayed on buses.
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