Ref: PR 2350
Date: 02/10/2009  

The Wakefield Together Partnership hosted an event on September 30 to look at how it can better support victims of hate crime.

Although crime across Wakefield district is coming down, the Partnership recognises that a number of hate crime incidents are not reported.

The event re-affirmed the Partnership’s commitment to offer a co-ordinated approach to dealing with hate crime incidents swiftly and effectively, focusing on a concerted effort to ensure that people whose lives are blighted by such behaviour are rescued from despair.

The Partnership will now be developing a pledge which all partners can sign up to, to show commitment to tackling hate crime and identify steps forward in a plan of action for all partners to work on together.

The event also coincides with the launch of the national Hate Crime Cross Government Action Plan, which sets out the government's vision for organisations to work together to ensure cases such as that recently reported in Leicestershire do not happen again.

Cllr Olivia Rowley, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for community safety and cohesion, said: "We aim to ensure good consistent standards for dealing with anti-social behaviour are available to all and meet the needs of our citizens, therefore bringing partners together will help to better coordinate this service.

"Figures for hate crime in the Wakefield District are relatively low however we realise this is under reported. We want to make victims aware of the help and support available, so they are confident that reported incidents are taken seriously and acted upon by the police, Council and other agencies."

Hate crime is an incident which constitutes a criminal offence, perceived by the victim, or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate, based on any identifying factors such as disability, faith, race or Sexual orientation. Offences range from name calling and intimidation to physical abuse and violence.

You can contact Wakefield Council's contact centre 24 hours a day on 0845 8 506 506.
Wakefield and District Housing offer a number of designated reporting centres in the district, where specially trained staff can assist individuals to report hate crime, as well as supporting victims with CCTV or, in extreme cases re housing - call 0845 8507507 to find your nearest centre.

Additionally West Yorkshire Police have two specially trained Hate Crime officers in place working specifically in Wakefield - call 01977 601182.

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