Thames Valley Police shows support for Hate Crime Awareness Week

Thames Valley Police officers in Windsor and Maidenhead will be showing their support for National Hate Crime Awareness Week.

The force will be urging witnesses to come forward if they witness a hate crime, reinforcing the message that it is unacceptable, and promoting the campaign messages #LetsHateHate and #WeStandTogether against hate crime all this week.

Hate Crime is defined as a crime or incident against you, your friends, your family or your property because of your actual or presumed sexual orientation, transgender identity, disability, race or religion.

TVP said hate crime incidents continue to go unreported and is looking to reassure the public that they will be taken seriously if they get in touch, and they will be dealt with sensitively and will be assured of confidentiality.

Supt Bhupinder Rai, LPA Commander for Windsor & Maidenhead, said: “Hate crime incidents impact on people’s lives and we work hard to reinforce the message that hate-related activity is not accepted in our communities.

“Every hate crime reported to us is reviewed by senior officers to ensure all investigative opportunities are explored, and victims and witnesses are properly supported. We are determined that no one should suffer in silence.

Anthony Stansfeld, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Hate crime is not something that anyone should tolerate or live with and yet there are still many victims out there who are silently coping with the impact that this crime has on their lives.

“This type of crime has no place in a civilised society and I would encourage anyone who has been a victim or a witness to either report it to the police or contact the Hate Crime Network.

“I hope my new awareness campaign will go some way to help tackle the issue of under reporting and give people the knowledge and confidence needed to come forward and tell us about their experiences.”

Contact police on 101 (or 999 in an emergency) to report a hate crime. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the Hate Crime Network on 0300 1234 148.