Leeds comes together to take a stand against hate crime

Leeds City Council, Safer Leeds, West Yorkshire Police, and West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner are standing together to reassure members of the public that hate crime in any form will not be tolerated.

As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2017, a number of events will be held across the city next week to raise awareness of the issue and the practical help that is available from the council and partners to tackle it.

The week will begin on Monday 16 October with the official launch by Cllr Debra Coupar of the updated Leeds hate crime strategy: ‘Responding to hate’, which will be attended by key practitioners and partners. This will be followed by events held at various locations across Leeds, where representatives of the council and partner organisations will speak in local communities about hate crime and the support on offer to any person or group(s) experiencing it. A hate crime is defined as a crime which is committed against someone due to their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.

Leeds has set out a clear no tolerance message regarding hate crime, and anyone who is experiencing it can be assured that if reported, it will be taken seriously and investigated. This message was further reinforced by the Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake in the wake of anti-Semetic graffiti being left at the Etz Chaim synagogue on Harrogate Road earlier this week. In a letter to leaders of the synagogue, Cllr Blake expressed her shock at this act and in doing so, offered the council’s full support. Details of Cllr Blake’s letter can be seen here: http://news.leeds.gov.uk/council-leaders-support-for-jewish-community-after-anti-semitic-grafitti/

The national hate crime campaign aims to bring people together, to stand with those affected by hate crime, to remember those we have lost, and support those who need our ongoing support.

Through the week, the council and partners will be supporting the national #WeStandTogether message and local #LeedsNoPlaceforHate message to reassure the thousands of people across Leeds and the wider community, that the city remains safe and welcoming for all.

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council executive member for communities, said:

“Leeds today is more diverse than ever and we can be incredibly proud that as a city we have a history of being somewhere that is welcoming, tolerant and compassionate of people from all backgrounds and faiths.

“There is simply no place in our city for hate crimes of any form, and it will not be tolerated. We must stand together, and anyone who witnesses or experiences abusive behaviour should report it to the police or the council immediately. Anyone reporting a hate crime can be assured they will be listened to and that it will be investigated both properly and thoroughly.”

Mark Burns-Williamson, Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire said:

“No-one should be subjected to, or fear, abuse because of their disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

“I am very happy to be supporting the Leeds Hate Crime Strategy and Hate Crime Awareness Week through our on-going strong working partnership. It’s crucial that we work together to do our utmost to eradicate hate in West Yorkshire. If you are being affected by hate crime or incidents, report them as soon as you can.”

There are various ways that members of the public can make a report. This can be done in person at any council office, at one of our hate incident reporting centres, council one stop centres or any Police Station.

You can telephone West Yorkshire Police on 101 or in an Emergency 999 or the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team on 0113 222 4402 or email at LASBT@leeds.gov.uk. The national organisation Stop Hate UK can be contacted on 800 138 1625, by text to 07717 989025 or via talk@stophateuk.org or downloading the Stop Hate UK APP.

By reporting incidents, you will enable the police, local councils, housing associations etc. to build up patterns of behaviour locally, and highlight areas of concern within your community. We will help you get the support you need and ensure that offenders are brought to justice. This could also prevent other incidents happening to someone else. You can find out more information on at www.leeds.gov.uk/c/Pages/saferleeds.

Notes to editors:

Hate crime events will be held next week at:

Monday 16^th October Dewsbury Road One Stop Centre, 190 Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 6PF 1:30-4:30pm

Tuesday 17^th October Leeds City Train Station, New Station Street, Leeds, LS1 4DY 9:30-12pm

Tuesday 17^th October Leeds City Bus Station Dyer Street, Leeds, LS2 7LA 1:30-4pm

Wednesday 18^th October Morrisons supermarket, Harehills Lane, LS8 3RG 9:30-12pm

Wednesday 18^th October St James’ Hospital - Bexley Wing, Becketts Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF 1:30-4pm

Thursday 19^th October Leeds University Student Union, Lifton Place, Leeds, LS2 9JZ 9:30-12pm

Thursday 19^th October B&M Store, Armley Road, Leeds, LS12 2JL 1:30-4pm

Friday 20^th October White Rose Centre, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 8LU 9:30-4pm

Friday 20^th October Leeds Grand Mosque, 9 Woodsley Road, Leeds, LS6 1SN 12:30-2:30pm