Train commuters engaged in conversations on hate crime

Leeds City Council hosted an event at the station where they engaged with commuters about available hate crime support, listened to people’s experiences and highlighted the work going on in the city.

The team spoke to around 300 people, with the new approach designed to engage with the public where they are about hate crime, to build trust and increase the opportunity for people to make their voices heard.

The Leeds Hate Crime Strategy 2025 to 2028 sets out a commitment to tackling hate in all its forms, working together in the Safer Leeds partnership which also includes West Yorkshire Combined Authority, West Yorkshire Police, health sector partners, the probation service as well as voluntary, third sector and community groups.

As part of the launch of Hate Crime Awareness Week, Safer Leeds also came together at the station’s ‘Safe Hub’, a dedicated space where vital support services can reach and help vulnerable people in the community, to highlight the importance of partnership working to combat hate crime. Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for communities and community safety launched the week and Councillor Emma Flint, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, adults and health was also in attendance.

Other speakers included Alison Lowe OBE, West Yorkshire’s deputy mayor for policing and crime, Paul Money, Chief Officer for Safer Stronger Communities at Leeds City Council, Julie Swift, Station Interface Manager for Network Rail at Leeds Station and John Au, Director at Stop Hate UK.

About the event, Councillor Harland said: “Hate Crime Awareness Week is a chance for us all to come together and make it clear that hate has no place in our city. What makes us different really is what makes us Leeds.

“By holding our launch at one of the busiest transport hubs in the city, we can reach more people, start more conversations, and help raise awareness of hate crime and how people can report it.

“We know that many hate crimes and hate incidents still go unreported, that is why awareness raising remains so important. The more people understand what hate crime is, how to report it and where to find support, the more confidence they will have to come forward. Every report matters.”

Councillor Emma Flint said: “The engagement we’ve undertaken today is a direct response to feedback that we have had from our communities around better understanding residents’ real-life experiences of hate and inequality. This topic can be warped by online discourse and social media bubbles, it has been really useful to engage with people openly and hear their stories and opinions first hand, and get their insight into how we can continue to build a stronger Leeds where everyone feels welcome.”

Alison Lowe OBE is also a national policing lead for race disparity, equality and human rights. She said: “With everything going on in the world, this is our chance to lead from the front and show that we are stronger together if we celebrate our differences, rather than confront them.

“Hate crime affects every single one of us and only by responding in unison can we prevent discrimination and change negative attitudes and behaviours that impact our communities.

“The ‘Safe Hub’ provides a great opportunity to talk to people about the reporting of hate crime and the support we have available here in West Yorkshire.”

Someone is a victim of a hate crime or incident if they are targeted by a crime or behaved badly towards because of a protected characteristic, including:

• race or ethnicity
• disability
• religion or belief
• sexual orientation
• transgender identity

Read more about how to report a hate crime or incident here. In an emergency, always call 999.

Read more about the Leeds Hate Crime Strategy 2025 to 2028 here.

Find out more about the ‘What Makes Us Different, Makes Us Leeds’ campaign here.