Gay pub given help to report attacks
A hi-tech information point has been installed into a popular gay pub to make it easier for people to report hate crimes to Northamptonshire Police.
The Infobox has been funded in memory of Michael Fardon, who died following a vicious homophobic attack after visiting the Boston Clipper pub in College Street, Northampton, in July 2006.
Members of the Michael Fardon Memorial Trust hope the facility will help encourage the reporting of hate crimes and leave a legacy from which others can benefit.
The Infobox is a kiosk that allows people to link to the Northamptonshire Police website where they can report crime and check on the progress of any crime of which they are a victim.
The Boston Clipper's Infobox has been funded by the Michael Fardon Memorial Trust. Northamptonshire Police made a donation to the fund, which is run by Michael's sister, Cheryl Walden.
Pc Rob Smith, of Northamptonshire Police, was involved in the investigation into Michael Fardon's death and worked closely with the family. He said it was hoped that people who were reluctant to go into a police station would use the Infobox to report hate crimes.
He said: "This kiosk will give people who have been the victim of a homophobic crime the chance to report what has happened to them in a place where they feel safe and comfortable and without having to go into a police station or speak to someone face to face.
"Sadly, this facility would not have helped Michael, but the Boston Clipper was the place where he spent his last evening and it is good that he can leave a legacy that will help other people who are victims of hate crime, to report it to police."
The Infobox also has links to the websites of support groups such as the Northampton Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Alliance, Victim Support and Crimestoppers.
Boston Clipper landlord Danny Edwards said: "There have already been a lot of people on it. We are confident it will prove very popular here and will give people a new way to report crime."
Mr Fardon, a factory worker from Moulton, was murdered by 19-year-old James Hyland after the two met in the pub last year.
Northampton Crown Court heard the pair had a "sexual encounter" before Hyland beat Mr Fardon senseless and then pushed him, unconscious, over a railing where he fell 15 feet into a concrete stairwell, killing him. Hyland was handed a 12-year jail term.
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