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Bedfordshire Police has teamed up with schools and local authorities in Bedfordshire to share the message that there is no place for hate in Bedfordshire.
This Hate Crime Awareness Week (12-19 October), the force’s Community Cohesion team is linking in with groups and pupils across the county educating about hate crime, what it is, and crucially, how to report.
As part of the scheme, the partners have come together to launch a poster adorned with illustrations from schoolchildren representing peace and unity, drawn by schoolchildren across Beds.
Sergeant Phil Boyd from the Community Cohesion team said: “It has been so encouraging to get such a positive response from schools in Luton, Central and Bedford boroughs.
“Children are the best people to be delivering this message for us as their innocence means they do not hate people because of their differences, they embrace them. Hate crime is never tolerated and we will do all in our power to tackle it – but this starts at the ground roots, in building positive relationships in our communities and helping to problem-solve at a local level to prevent tensions from escalating.
“We believe that hate crime is traditionally under-reported as people either do not recognise they have been a victim or they do not feel confident coming forward to report to police. These posters and leaflets – beautifully illustrated by our own schoolchildren in the county – will help raise awareness of what hate crime is and the ways they can report.”
In the last three months alone, Bedfordshire Police has recorded 409 hate crimes, ranging from harassment and malicious communications to racially aggravated assault.
Sergeant Boyd added: “We know that local, national and international events and political situations have all prompted spikes in hate crime at a local level. Our team is committed to fostering strong relationships across all of the myriad diverse communities in Bedfordshire and as such helping to build their confidence in coming forward to report.
“Many thanks to all of the schools and pupils who have been involved this week for helping to spread the important message that there is no place for hate in Bedfordshire.”
Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, John Tizard, commented: “Hate crime is heinous and has not place in contemporary Britain. Wherever you live, whatever your gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, or age you are entitled to be able to live your life without fear, prejudice, discrimination and hate.
“I want to emphasise my unwavering commitment to fostering unity across Bedfordshire. As I have said on many occasions to many groups and communities, diversity is our strength, and we are one Bedfordshire. Let no one seek to divide us.
“I look forward to continuing to work with charities and other partners, residents, and the local authorities to highlight the importance and benefit of solidarity and inclusion in Bedfordshire”.
The Leaders of Luton and Bedford Borough Council, Councillor Hazel Simmons, Councillor Adam Zerny and Mayor Tom Wootton, added:
“We know that local, national and international events and political situations can prompt spikes in hate crime at a local level. As partners we are committed to fostering strong relationships across all of the diverse communities in Bedfordshire. There is no place for hate here and we would always encourage anyone who experiences it to report it to the police.”
The schools taking part in the hate crime poster design competition were Scott Primary in Bedford, St Matthews and Beech Hill Primary in Luton, Putnoe Primary, and Ashton St Peters in Dunstable, and Ridgeway School in Kempston also took part in our video campaign.
Winners whose drawings were selected for the final poster will receive a certificate and another visit from the Community Cohesion team this week.