Victims of hate crime in Hartlepool are being urged to speak out and seek support as Hartlepool Borough Council launches a new initiative to make reporting incidents easier.
Seven Hate Crime Champions – a voluntary role that each does alongside their main job - are based at locations across the town, giving residents more opportunities to report hate crime and get the help they need.
The launch of the initiative coincides with National Hate Crime Awareness Week which is running until Saturday 17 October.
The volunteer Hate Crime Champions aim to make communities more respectful, safe and inclusive by raising awareness of hate crime, taking reports of incidents and offering support to victims.
They are available at a range of Council premises, including:
- Hartlepool Civic Centre
- Community Hub Central, York Road
- Community Hub South, Wynyard Road
- Headland Hub, Middlegate
- Seaton Hub, Station Lane, Seaton Carew
Hate crime is committed against someone because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.
It can take many forms and is not limited to physical violence. Incidents can include threatening behaviour, verbal abuse, assault, robbery, damage to property including offensive graffiti, harassment, exploitation and inciting others to commit hate crimes.
Councillor Amanda Napper, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods and Regulatory Services Committee, said: “Nobody in Hartlepool should ever have to put up with abuse, intimidation or hostility simply because of who they are.”
Hate crime can have a devastating impact on victims, but some people may be reluctant to report what has happened to them or simply might not know where to turn for help.
The Council’s new volunteer Hate Crime Champions are there to listen, help and support. By having trained staff at locations across Hartlepool, the Council aims to make it as easy as possible for people to come forward.
The message is simple - you do not have to suffer in silence. If you experience hate crime, please report it. Hate has no place in Hartlepool and together we can help make our communities safer, stronger and more inclusive for everyone.
Hate crime can be reported to Cleveland Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Reports can also be made online at www.cleveland.police.uk/ro/report/hate-crime/information/v1/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime or via the Cleveland Online Policing App (COPA).
Help is also available to victims of hate crime through a network of third party reporting centres, premises in the community with specially-trained staff. More details can be found at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/downloads/download/69/hate-crime-third-party-reporting-centres