Kirklees Together

This Saturday marks the start of National Hate Crime Awareness Week (NHCAW) in the UK (8 – 16 October).

It’s a week of action to raise awareness of hate crime; what it is, the impact it has on our communities, and how we can work together to prevent it.

If you’re out and about next week look out for our exhibition bus. Together with our partners, West Yorkshire Police, we’ll be sharing information, promoting the importance of reporting hate crimes and answering your questions, so make sure you pop along. You’ll find us, 9am – 1.30pm at:

• Tuesday 11 October at St George’s Square, Huddersfield
• Thursday 13 October outside Dewsbury Town Hall.

Following our successful Poems for Hope Tour last year we’ve collated the specially-written poetry into a book. This book will be shared as part of an ‘open mic’ event at Batley Library, 8 October 2pm-4pm. The theme is ‘Hate Crime Awareness’. Book your free place at our Poems for Hope Book Launch. If you’d like to pick up the mic, please email cohesion@kirklees.gov.uk before 6 October.”

Remember, if you are the victim of a hate crime, or witness it, it’s important you report it so we can work with partners and communities to tackle local issues.

What is hate crime?

A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim, or anybody else, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone’s:

• race,
• religion,
• sexual orientation,
• transgender identity, or
• disability.

A hate crime could include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault and damage to property.

If you’ve experienced or witnessed something that wasn’t a crime, like someone using abusive gestures, but you think it was motivated by prejudice against you, it’s known as a ‘hate incident’ and should still be reported.

Why report a hate crime or incident

Nobody should have to live with the fear, anxiety and consequences of hate crime.

Here in Kirklees, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Police, we provide support and guidance to victims and take positive action against perpetrators, so reporting incidents allows us to do this.

It’s worth reporting an incident even if you don’t think it’s very serious. Sometimes small hate incidents can lead to more serious ones.

Hate Crime Co-ordinator in Kirklees, PC Emma Harrison, explains more about hate crimes and what happens with reports the Police receive:

How to report a hate crime or incident

There are many ways to report a hate crime, check out our Hate incident reporting information for guidance.

You can report a hate incident 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via Kirklees Direct on 01484 414888.

In an emergency always dial 999.