19 Oct 2023
This week (14.10.24 – 21.10,.24) was Hate Crime Awareness Week, which is a national week of action to encourage communities affected by hate crime, local authorities, police forces and other key partners to work together to tackle local hate crime issues.
The national theme this year is Faith based hate with a focus on Antisemitism.
In addition to this, the Wales Hate Support Centre were holding onto their #WalesTogether theme as they look to create a dialogue and discussion around tackling hate within the context of Wales.
To mark Hate Crime Awareness Week, PCC Dafydd Llywelyn was involved in several events to support the important campaign.
PCC Llywelyn hosted a webinar on Online Hate Crime on Wednesday 18 October, which delved into the complex challenges that police forces in England and Wales encounter when investigating online hate crime reports.
The panel of expert speakers at the webinar, included representatives from Dyfed-Powys Police, the Wales Hate Support Centre at Victim Support who provide support for victims of Hate Crime across Wales, dedicated local Community Cohesion Officers, and the National School Liaison Project Lead, who all provided valuable insights and solutions to address the growing concerns around Hate Crime.
PCC Llywelyn also attended a Hate Crime Awareness Workshop with young children in Newtown as part of his Community Engagement Day in Powys on 19 October.
The workshop was being delivered by Dyfed-Powys Police Officers and coaches from Swansea City FC Foundation. The workshop was delivered to young people from the Premier League Kicks programme that the PCC has funded in Newtown.
Through the PL Kicks programme, children and young people get an opportunity to attend free weekly football sessions that are run by Swansea City FC Foundation, which aims to divert young people away from crime by providing them with fun, sporting activity in a safe environment.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said:
“Experiencing hate crime can be a particularly frightening experience as you've been targeted because of who you are, or who or what your attacker thinks you are.
“Unlike non-identity related offences, the attack is very personal and specifically targeted, which means it’s less likely to be a random attack.
“Hate Crime Awareness Week is an opportunity for the Police and other partners to come together to challenge hate within our communities, to raise awareness of hate crime and to stand in solidarity with those affected by hate crime.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be involved in this year’s campaign once again.
“The webinar I hosted on Wednesday was an opportunity for us to discuss the complex challenges that police forces in England and Wales encounter when investigating online hate crime reports, and the impact on victims.
“It’s also to talk to young people about their experiences of hate crime, which was an opportunity we had in Newtown on Thursday evening during our workshop with young children in the area who were attending the premier league kicks football session.
“I would like to thank all the partners who have been involved in the various activities this week, and to colleagues at Victim Support in particular for their support in co-ordinating all the events that have been taking place across Wales.
“We will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that our victims are being supported and that offender are brought to justice”.
Report hate crime
If you experience or witness hate crime, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police by calling 101. You can also report it via Facebook, Twitter and the Dyfed-Powys Police website. In an emergency always call 999.
Help, advice and support services is available through Victim Support.
ENDS
Further information:
OPCC.Communication@dyfed-powys.police.uk
