South Yorkshire Police backing National Hate Crime Awareness Week

SOUTH Yorkshire Police backed National Hate Crime Awareness Week this week by renewing its pledge to stand up to all those causing such suffering.

The force said it recognised the “nightmare” faced by victims and urged more reporting to help stamp out the problem.

Hate crimes are criminal offences motivated by hostility or prejudice based on disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Anyone can be a victim — it does not have to be a member of a minority group or someone considered vulnerable.

Chief Insp Andy Berriman, the force’s lead for hate crime offences, said: “Imagine living in fear of leaving your home. 

“Imagine feeling targeted just because of how you were born. Imagine being verbally abused, harassed or physically attacked just because of who you are.

“It has to stop. I want to encourage anyone who is a victim of hate crime to report it. I can promise we will do our very best to bring offenders to justice. 

“And I can promise we will ensure you receive the support you need as a result of what can be a traumatic ordeal for many when a hate crime is reported to us.”

Report hate crime via 101 (999 in an emergency) or smartcontact.southyorkshire.police.uk.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired you can textphone 18001 101 or SMS 07786 220022.