The force are hoping to encourage more victims of abuse to come forward. Last year 37 reports were made – 26 relating to abuse concerning race or religion – but figures suggest that this is just a fraction of the problem.
Acting Inspector Manny De Freitas, the States police lead on the campaign, said: ‘In launching this campaign, we want to encourage victims in Jersey to come forward to report incidents of hate crime. Only by reporting it, and perpetrators being brought to justice, can we stop it from occurring.’
A dedicated section of the States police website was also due to go live today and certain police vehicles are to be branded with the campaign’s artwork, which includes the slogan: ‘Hate doesn’t belong here’. Adverts are also due to appear in parish magazines.
Charity Prison!Me!NoWay!!!, which educates children about the consequences of crime, is to hold a range of lessons in all secondary schools and at Highlands College on hate crime in June and October this year.
Hate crimes are offences that are aggravated by prejudice against a person’s gender, race, religion, sexuality of disability. Currently, prosecutors must prove that a crime, such as assault, breach of the peace or malicious damage, has been committed with hate as an aggravating factor.
Under a proposed new Hate Crime and Prejudice law, which is being drafted and is due to go out to consultation later this year, police powers are due to be ‘greatly enhanced’ which could result in more offenders appearing in court.
Jim Hopley, chairman of the Community Advisory Group, said: ‘The occurrence of hate crime in all its manifestations, including via social media, is something we should be aware of.
‘When suffered or witnessed we can, and should, do something about it in the certain knowledge that wherever possible action will be taken to stamp this insidious crime out.
‘This campaign, fully supported by the Community Advisory Group, invites us all to recognise hate crime and to play our part, working in partnership with the police to stand against it.’
A second part of the States police campaign is due to run in October to coincide with National Hate Crime Awareness Week.
For more information visit jersey.police.uk/be-safe/hate-crime/hate-crime-campaign-2019.
To report hate crime call 612612 or 999 in an emergency. The States police have also teamed up with Stop Hate UK who have a 24-hour helpline on 08001 381625. Their website is stophateuk.org.
