Roadshows launched to cut hate crimes

Roadshows focusing on ending hate crime against people with learning disabilities are being launched across rural North Yorkshire this week, where 12 specific reporting centres have been set up to address the problem.

The series of roadshows focusing on ending hate crime is being staged across Hambleton and Richmondshire from today.

Information will be available from venues in Northallerton, Great Ayton, Stokesley, Easingwold, Richmond, Reeth, Leyburn, Colburn and Hawes.

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It is being launched by the Hambleton and Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership which earlier this year set up a hate crime hotline to supplement the network of reporting centres established alongside North Yorkshire Police in 2010.

Coun Carl Les, chair of the partnership, said: “Any crime where the victim feels they are being targeted because of their disability is unacceptable and we recognise that disability-related hate crime is as serious as any other hate crime.

“We are all working hard to establish closer links with disability groups and our partner agencies in the communities, to ensure we can provide the highest quality of service for all.

“I encourage people to be confident in reporting disability-related hate crime to North Yorkshire Police.”

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It is hoped the roadshows will raise awareness of the 12 hate crime reporting centres which are backed by the library service and a host of groups which support vulnerable people in the two districts.

Experts say hate crime – which is defined as motivated by prejudice of someone because of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability – is traditionally under-reported across Hambleton and Richmondshire.

The hate crime hotline number is 0845 200 2495.

Any abuse can also be reported online at northyorkshire.police.uk/hatecrime.