September 29, 2010 5.24 pm This story is over 162 months old

Police and charities vow to tackle hate crime

Hate crime: Police have teamed up with local charities to tackle hate crime together.

Lincolnshire Police have joined forces with charities Just Lincolnshire and Stop Hate UK to tackle hate crime in Lincoln and across the county.

Despite over 300 hate crimes were reported over the past year, the force believes many go unreported, especially in urban areas like Lincoln.

Out of the 312 hate crimes reported, police say 274 were racist incidents, 25 homophobic and, seven of them were disability-motivated crimes.

Recent research by Stop Hate UK suggests over 80% of hate crimes are not reported to the police, with many incidents not being brought forward.

The idea is for Lincolnshire Police to work closely with agencies dealing with hate crimes across the county, to get more people to come forward with their ordeals.

To inaugurate the new strategy, a public event will be held on Friday, October 1, at the EMTEC Building on the University of Lincoln campus, from 2pm to 4pm.

Speaking at the launch will be Sylvia Lancaster, the mother of Sophie Lancaster who was murdered defending her boyfriend who was attacked for dressing as a Goth.

She has set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, which campaigns to have hate crime legislation extended to include people from “alternative subcultures”.

Also speaking at the launch will be Rose Simkins, Chief Executive of Stop Hate UK, a charity providing independent support to those affected by hate crime.

The strategy is Lincolnshire’s first multi-agency strategy to tackle hate crime and hate motivated incidents in Lincolnshire.

It marks the first steps in organisations and communities across the county working together to challenge hate crimes and incidents in Lincolnshire.

Source, Photo: Lincolnshire Police | Related Report: Lincolnshire Echo