Police urge citizens to report hate crime
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Police are urging people to report hate crime after a sharp rise in reported cases following the EU referendum result.
There has been a 57 per cent rise in incidents reported to True Vision, the national police online hate crime recording website, in comparison to the same time last month.
In our county at least Northamptonshire Police intelligence has revealed no local rises in reported hate crime in the five days following the historic referendum.
Superintendent Chris Hillery, head of local policing at Northamptonshire Police, said: “Sadly some parts of the UK have seen an increase in community tension since the result of the EU referendum, and although we haven’t seen similar incidents in Northamptonshire, we have been in contact with different community leaders to offer reassurance.
“Any form of hate crime is unacceptable and I urge anyone who thinks they may have been victimised because of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or age to contact police to report it.
“Hatred has no place in our society and has the potential to cause serious physical and emotional harm. It damages communities and undermines the diversity and tolerance we should be celebrating.
“Everyone has a right to feel safe and confident about who they are. Being yourself is not a crime: hate crime is.
Anyone with any information regarding suspected hate crimes, or may have witnessed or experienced one can contact police on 101, alternatively anonymous contact can be made by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Contact can also be made directly to True Vision via, report-it.org.uk.