Showing Northampton stands together with hate crime victims during week of virtual activities

Northampton will be marking national hate crime awareness week with a virtual programme of activities to educate and encourage reporting.

From October 10 to 17, the campaign aims to reinforce the message embodied by the slogan 'we stand together' by teaching about the different types of hate crime and empowering communities affected by it.

The events hosted by Northampton Borough Council will also emphasise the importance of reporting such incidents, whether it is isolated or repeated.

Cabinet member for community engagement and safety Anna King said: “We dream of a society which is free from hate, harassment and discrimination, where all people are valued for their unique identity.

“This awareness week reminds us how far we’ve come but can also inspire us to continue progressing towards a community where residents feel safe, included and accepted reminding us of the importance of reporting hate crimes.

“When you report hate crimes, you are making a bigger difference than you may think, it helps you get support and it helps us make your local area safer.

“If you tell us what is happening, different agencies, such as the police, local authority, charities and housing providers, can take action against the perpetrator and support victims and witnesses.”

Documentaries, performances, online events, poems and messages of support from local residents will be shared throughout the week on the council's Facebook page.

Additionally, Northampton Women’s Forum will host a virtual conference exploring how BAME communities have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and how women have risen to the challenge on Thursday, October 15.

The event will be streamed live on the ccouncil's YouTube channel from 1pm to 2.30pm.

Nicky McKenzie, assistant director of housing at Northampton Partnership Homes, said: “We’re proud to stand together with our partners across the town to support hate crime awareness week.

"We want our residents to feel safe to be who they are, and we encourage them to report hate crime incidents to us.

"We have a team of people specially trained to support you if you experience hate crime, and they will always keep your information confidential.

"By reporting incidents to us, we can work with partner agencies to take steps to keep you safe and stop this happening to someone else.”

People can also use the hashtag #SpreadLoveNotHate and show their support during hate crime awareness week by sharing the council's messages on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #WeStandTogether.

To report a hate crime online, visit www.northampton.gov.uk/hatecrime or ring police on 101 or 999 if it is a live incident.

Northamptonshire Police hate crime officer Yemi Holman added: “This national hate crime awareness week the police will be working alongside our partner agencies to engage with our communities and educate them around what a hate crime is, to support victims and to send a message that hate has no place in our society.

"We encourage people who have been a victim of a hate crime or may know of someone who is being targeted to come forward and report it.”