Partners unite to tackle hate crime in Nottingham

A workshop focused on eradicating hate from Nottingham has been hailed a success.

Nottinghamshire Police was among the organisations taking part in the Common Room session, organised by The Jo Cox Foundation and Nottingham-based Communities Inc.

Delegates shared insights on community tensions and local hate crime incidents, while developing ideas to reduce prejudice and tackle hate crime collaboratively.

Around 30 people attended the event at the National Justice Museum in Nottingham on 23 May, including police officers, council representatives and delegates from Nottingham Mencap, Tell MAMA and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Guest speakers from the different organisations provided an insight into the work they do, in a bid to improve understanding and give attendees an opportunity to ask questions.

The workshop also provided a forum for people to explore how the police and other organisations can work in partnership to tackle hate crime, support victims and engage with communities around this topic.

Among those delivering a presentation was Sergeant Ray Bradshaw, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Hate Crime team. His presentation on hate crime statistics prompted a Q&A session about the new NCHI (Non-Crime Hate Incident) recording guidelines.

Sgt Bradshaw said:

“It was clear from the response in the room that there were concerns about the new NCHI guideline. I was able to reassure the attendees that when Hate Crime is reported, Nottinghamshire Police will always record and investigate such incidents and will seeking to achieve the most positive resolution whilst safeguarding the victim.”

According to Sgt Bradshaw, the event highlighted the importance of partnership working to effectively tackle hate crime and encourage victims to report incidents. He said:

“We know that some people in the community feel uncomfortable reporting hate or indeed anything else to the police, but by fostering strong partnerships with community and support groups, we can enlist them to ‘bridge that gap’ and encourage reporting. By doing this and then by providing an outstanding service, we will increase trust and confidence in our communities.”

Chief Inspector Karl Thomas, who oversees neighbourhood policing in Nottingham’s city centre, was among those in attendance. He said:

“Our duty as a police service is to fight crime, protect vulnerable people and ensure our communities feel safe and listened to, so it goes without saying that we stand firmly against all types of hate. There is absolutely no place for it in Nottingham or beyond.

“We are committed to working with our partners to do our bit in stamping it out, so it was brilliant to have this workshop held in Nottingham city centre.

“Listening to the speakers talk about their own experiences of hate, and hearing our colleagues talk about the role we can all play in tackling it, was really useful for us in understanding how we can help, as a public service in the county, to increase reporting and reduce this type of crime.”

Michael Henry, Strategic Director of Communities Inc, a social enterprise passionate about tackling hate crime and inequalities, added:

“We've enjoyed working with the Jo Cox Foundation on the Common Room series to equip people with the skills and confidence needed to tackle all forms of hate and prejudice when they witness it in day-to-day life.

“We look forward to seeing the difference this work has made in the city.”