Local police raise awareness of hate crime during National Hate Crime Awareness Week

Monday, 17 October 2022 11:31

Police in Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde have been raising awareness of hate crime during a week long campaign.

National Hate Crime Awareness Week took place last week between 8th October to 16th October 2022, which sees action all over the country to put a stop to hate crime.

A hate crime is any incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hostility based on a person’s disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

Sergeant Mario Fa and PC Emma Bolton, of Lancashire Police’s West Division, visited several primary schools, colleges and community centres throughout the week to give an informative workshop.

Sergeant Fa and PC Bolton said: “We have met some fantastic students, staff and members of the public throughout the week. Our sessions explain just how serious hate crime is, the law around it and the serious consequences.

“We exhibited a Hate Crime Stand at numerous colleges. The students and staff had lots of questions to ask, and it was a great way to speak to young people about hate crime directly.

“It is so important to engage with the community to raise awareness of how serious society and the law considers hate crime offences to be. The reception has been really positive and consequently further hate crime inputs have been planned in the near future.”