People in Sefton are being urged to report hate crimes.
National Hate Crime Awareness Week takes place from 10th – 17th October 2020 with the aim of raising awareness of what hate crime is.
The initiative also aims to highlight how it affects people, encourage people to report hate crime, and let people know what is happening in the local area to tackle hate crime.
What is Hate Crime?
A hate crime is defined as ‘Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s race or perceived race; religion or perceived religion; sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; disability or perceived disability and any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.’
A hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.
Not all hate incidents will amount to criminal offences, but Sefton Council says that it is equally important that these are reported and recorded by the police.
Cllr Ian Maher Leader of Sefton Council said: “Sefton Council takes all incidents of Hate Crime very seriously and we are working hard with our partner agencies to tackle this problem.
“I would encourage people to tell and partner agencies such as the police, support charities such as Stop Hate UK and housing providers who can help take action and support victims and witnesses.
“You don’t have to be the victim to be able to report a hate crime or hate incident, anyone can make a report. Please help us make Sefton a safer place for everyone.”
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