New confidential helpline to report hate crime (From Your Local Guardian)

New confidential helpline to report hate crime

11:00am Friday 30th July 2010 in

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Victims of hate crime will be able to report incidents through a 24-hour confidential helpline, without contacting the police.

They will be able to speak to a trained advisor provided by a national organisation called StopHate UK.

Their details are then passed to the police and the council, if the victim gives permission.

Hate crime is where victims are targeted because of their race, religion, political views, gender, or sexual orientation.

Councillor Steve O'Connell, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Hate crime is a particularly despicable type of crime, where people are targeted because of their personal characteristics or identity. This kind of victimisation has no place in our borough. We are extremely proud of our diverse community in Croydon, and we want to be known as a place where hate crime is immediately tackled, not tolerated.

“We have set up this helpline to ensure that we are giving any victims every opportunity to come forward and seek help - our message to them is we are on your side, and we will investigate all complaints.”

Borough commander Chief Superintendent Adrian Roberts said: “Croydon Police takes all reports of hate crime extremely seriously and we would always urge people to report crime to us in the first instance. However, we recognise that there are times when people might find it difficult to do so, or prefer to speak confidentially to a third party in the first instance. We fully support this new helpline, and we hope it encourages anyone who has been targeted to come forward - I want to reassure you that we will take action.”

If you want to report a crime call 0800 138 1625 or go to www.stophateuk.org.