This month I would like to take the opportunity to talk to you a bit about Hate Crime and what to do if you are a victim of this type of crime.
A Hate Crime is a crime that the victim, or any other person, perceives to be motivated by prejudice towards any aspects of a person’s identity, based on but not limited to, one of the following:
• Religion
• Gender
• Disability (including Mental Health)
• Ethnicity
• Sexuality
This hostility may be wrong or misplaced, for example the offender may think that you are gay when in fact it’s not the case. Despite this, it is still classed as a Hate Crime or Incident.
Hate Crime is a violation of personal and civil rights and can have a major impact on someone’s life, as well as on communities in which we live.
Leicestershire Police take reports of Hate Crime very seriously, and positive action is taken by investigating officers to ensure thorough investigations are completed in every case. In the Vale, these reports are very few and far between however they do occur. Nationally there has been a rise in number of reported incidents since the Brexit vote results were announced.
It is illegal to say anything or produce any material that tries to persuade someone to commit any offence against another race or group of people. This includes leaflets, posters, or speeches that encourage such an act.
Anyone who is convicted at Court of being involved in a Hate Crime can expect a lot tougher sentence, as it is deemed to be an aggravated offence which means it is more serious. The Courts have a duty to take this into account with sentencing, and to make it clear that it has done so.
If you are a victim, or witness, to something that you perceive to be a Hate Crime please report it to us via 101 or 999 in an emergency.
PCSO 6016 Liam Palmer
Leicestershire Police
Eastern Counties NPA
Vale Beat Team (NR34)
E: liam.palmer@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk