Suffolk Constabulary and its partners are again highlighting Hate Crime and encouraging people to report it if they are victims.

National Hate Crime Awareness Week - with the hashtag #NoHateInSuffolk - runs from today 14 to 21 October and aims to raise awareness of what hate crime is and the harmful effect it has on victims and their families.

Hate crime is an attack on people - physically, verbally and online - because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.

In 2022/23 Suffolk saw 1,128 hate crimes or incidents, compared to 1,233 the year before. So far in 2023/24 there have been 535 hate crimes / incidents.

Suffolk is seeing increased reporting, with offences and incidents of transphobia and disability-based hate increasing, in line with national trends, and by far the biggest number of reported offences/incidents are in respect of racially-motivated hate crime.

However, more people are being encouraged to come forward and a survey is included in this press release.

The week of action sees the Police continuing its work with Community Safety Partnerships in Suffolk, Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care, Suffolk County Council and Crimestoppers.

Officers will be involved in a range of activities across the county, visiting schools and markets to further raise awareness and encourage reporting of hate crime. The tag #NoHateInSuffolk will spearhead comprehensive digital messaging.

Hate crimes often take place in public and the Police do offer advice to potential witnesses, reminding them that their safety is a priority.

• Watch, be a witness. Don't turn away as it gives the message to the offender that their behaviour is normal and acceptable.
• Observe and pay attention to what is happening, the description of the offender, where you are, what time it is, so you have the best information when you report it.
• Inform security, staff or other people who might be able to help.
• Once you are in a safe space report the incident as a witness directly to the Police www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/report-crime or call 101
• Remember – in case of emergency always call 999.

Also, remember to check whether the victim needs help, even after an incident. Offer to call someone for them if they need it. You can also let them know of the support available and how to report the incident themselves: www.suffolk.police.uk/hatecrime

Inspector Kirsty Graefe said: "Hate crime continues to be an issue in our diverse community and this campaign is as important as ever. We want victims and witnesses to come forward and report incidents so we can take action and gain a better understanding of its impact in our communities. It also helps us and our partners to help people whose lives are blighted by hate crime."

Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, said: "Everyone has a right to live safely in Suffolk without the fear of prejudice or discrimination. It goes without saying that we should treat each other in a respectful way, but if that's not the case, we need to support victims of discrimination and ensure they have the confidence to report.

"I fully support this #NoHateInSuffolk awareness week. Hate Crime is one of the top priorities of the multi-agency Safer Stronger Communities Board and this week which gives us the opportunity to highlight the issue and encourage victims to report hate crime.

"If, for whatever reason, victims decide not to go to the police, Norfolk & Suffolk Victim Care can offer support or if anonymity is required, you can report a hate crime to Crimestoppers. I would encourage anyone affected by hate crime to please seek support."

Cllr Bobby Bennett, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities, said: "Hate Crime has a devastating impact on people's lives and Reducing Hate Crime is a key priority for Suffolk's Safer Stronger Communities Board (SSCB). Hate has no place in Suffolk and this national week of action raises awareness of hate crime in its many guises and the ways in which victims can access support."

For more information and advice visit www.suffolk.police.uk/hatecrime or www.hatecrime.campaign.gov.uk/

REPORTING HATE CRIME …

Hate Crime can be reported directly to police online www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/report-crime or anonymously via True Vision.

If you prefer to speak to someone, please dial 101, where someone will be able to help you.

Always dial 999 when life is threatened or people are injured, or if there is a crime in progress or an immediate police response is necessary.

If you have been a victim of or witness to a hate crime and are in need of support, please contact Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care, who offer advice and support to help you cope and recover from the impact of crime. It doesn't matter how long ago the crime happened or if it has been reported.

Phone: 0300 303 3706 Website: www.nsvictimcare.org Facebook/Twitter @nsvictimcare

Information for young people is also available on The Source website: www.thesource.me.uk/HateCrime

HAVE YOUR SAY …

Suffolk Police wants to better understand the barriers to reporting hate crime as well as the preferred outcomes of our diverse community members so you can directly influence how your local police service is shaped going forward. To do this we have devised a brief survey and will collect responses until Monday 13 November.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=crzGY5Ow20K_ihTiqZjiEdKap-0_TXROo5k-N8BjmGtUQkM1N1dVMEpGN0MxU01HMVhYSEpFNkQzMS4u

For more information on the National Hate Crime Awareness week please visit https://nationalhcaw.uk

For further crime prevention advice do visit www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/crime-prevention-z